Government Allocates 10 Billion To Cushion The Elderly, Orphans

By Carlos Onyango / Published March 26, 2020 | 12:46 pm

The Government announced that 10 billion shillings have been set aside to help the Elderly, the orphans and other vulnerable groups during the coronavirus crisis.

Making the announcement on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the fund will be distributed to the annual cash transfers kitty through the ministry of labor and social protection.

The Government targets to benefit over 1 million Kenyans who are likely to be affected during the coronavirus pandemic that has hit the world really hard.

“This fund will cushion them from the adverse economic effects of the Covid-29 pandemic,” President Uhuru said.

Data from the Ministry of Labor and Social protection shows that there are 764,644 elderly persons while there are 295,307 orphans and the vulnerable in the country.

The cushion by the Government will come in handy since old people are seen to be more vulnerable to Covid-19 because the risk of severe disease gradually increases with age starting from around 40 years.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), in as much as the Covid19 affects people of all ages, “evidence to date suggests that two groups of people are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. These are older people (that is people over 60 years old); and those with underlying medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer).”

WHO advises that people should take care of the elderly during this time so that they don’t feel isolated, stigmatized and anxious or left in a position of increased vulnerability or unable to access basic provisions and social care.

“This advice covers the subject of receiving visitors, planning for supplies of medication and food, going out safely in public and staying connected with others through phone calls or other means.”

“It is essential that these groups are supported by their communities during the COVID-19 outbreak. WHO emphasizes that all people must protect themselves from COVID-19, which will also protect others.”