MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund Launches Microfinance Program for Persons with Disabilities

The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), a nonprofit supporting microfinance institutions and other development efforts, recently implemented a microcredit program for persons with disabilities in the Pakistani districts of Quetta, Khairpur and Swat, and will soon implement this program in Abbottabad. As part of this program, disabled persons are provided with technical skills training to improve their business opportunities and subsequently are granted a microcredit loan. It is expected that 300 beneficiaries will benefit from this project, which costs a total of USD 156,375, which includes a microcredit facility of USD 75,000.

This disability program is part of the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Microfinance Innovation and Outreach Program (MIOP), which awarded the PPAF a grant of USD 30.5 million in 2006. The MIOP is a five-year program in which PPAF and its partner organizations will develop and implement 20 innovative microfinance products. This program for persons with disabilities is the nineteenth out of the twenty programs.

By Jennifer Shevock, Research Associate

About the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund:
The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is a government program established in 2000 with USD 90 million in funding from the World Bank, a global group of development financial institutions, and USD 10 million from the government of Pakistan. PPAF provides loans, grants and technical assistance to microfinance institutions and other civil society organizations in Pakistan. As of fiscal June 2010, PPAF reported total assets of PKR 23.6 billion (USD 272 million).

About the International Fund for Agricultural Development:
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an agency of the United Nations, was established in 1977 as an outcome of the 1974 World Food Conference. IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries by focusing on country-specific solutions. Since 1978, IFAD has invested USD 11.3 billion in 829 projects and programs. Another USD 18 billion has been contributed in co-financing from governments, project participants and multilateral, bilateral and other donors.

IFAD’s strategy in Pakistan is that of combating rural poverty through an emphasis on rural development. The IFAD’s Microfinance Innovation and Outreach Program in Pakistan aims to improve poor people’s access to a range of financial services and products. The program targets small-scale farmers and livestock owners, microentrepreneurs and women.

Sources and Additional Resources:
Email from the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund to MicroCapital.

“Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund allocates Rs. 3 billion for PWD”? August 19, 2010. http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=113746&Itemid=9

MICROCAPITAL STORY: “Pakistan Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education to Introduce Micro-Credit Scheme for Disabled” August 17, 2009. https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-pakistan-ministry-of-social-welfare-and-special-education-to-introduce-micro-credit-scheme-for-disabled/

MICROCAPITAL STORY: “Pakistani Government Agency PPAF (Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund) Launches USD $45 million PRISM (Program for Increasing Sustainable Microfinance)” July 7, 2008.
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-story-pakistani-government-agency-ppaf-pakistan-poverty-alleviation-fund-launches-usd-45-million-prism-program-for-increasing-sustainable-microfinance/

MicroCapital Universe: Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Pakistan+Poverty+Alleviation+Fund+%28PPAF%29

MicroCapital Universe: International Fund for Agricultural Development: https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=International+Fund+for+Agricultural+Development+%28IFAD%29

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