The US$ 12.80 million Covid-19 Emergency Income Support proposed project in Maldives would have two components and aim to achieve its PDO by:
(i) providing emergency cash transfers to individuals who have lost their jobs or income sources as a result of the COVID-19 crisis;
(ii) reinforcing the social protection policy framework by developing a new contributory unemployment insurance scheme, harmonizing social assistance programs, and improving pension schemes; and
(iii) enhancing social assistance policy and delivery systems to ensure that the government can respond with assistance more quickly in future emergencies.
This component would finance temporary income support to up to 20,000 individuals for 3 months. The support will be a top-up of any existing income to a maximum of MVR 5,000 per month.