Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP)

The Hunger Safety Net Programme 2(HSNP) is one of the four government Cash Transfer programmes under the National Safety Nets Programme (NSNP). The other three include the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Older Persons Cash Transfer and Persons With Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer.

The programme has been implemented in two Phases. Phase 1, staring with a pilot from 2008-2012, funded by DFID & Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Phase two (HSNP2) of the programme started in 2013 - 2018, funded by the Governments of Kenya and United Kingdom.

HSNP is a government led programme, under the Ministry of Devolution and Planning, managed by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).

Objectives

The overall objective of HSNP is to reduce extreme hunger and vulnerability by delivering regular and unconditional cash transfers of Kshs. 5,400 every two months (starting from July 2016) to targeted households.

The core objectives of the programme are:

1. To ensure effective, financially secure and well-targeted use of safety net and cash transfer programmes to support some of the most vulnerable and poor in Kenya
2. Implement a scaled up, integrated, effective government-led and financed safety net programme.

Coverage

Currently HSNP2 is supporting 100,000 households among poorest and vulnerable groups in four Arid Counties of Turkana, Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit.

Plans are in place to scale up and provide short term cash transfers to additional households (302,000HHs) in times of emergency, based on current targeting criteria and subject to availability of resources.

Amount Paid

KES 5,400 every two months (from July 2016) to targeted households, delivered through Equity Bank and its Agents

Eligibility

Targets households that:

• Cannot afford to meet basic expenses (regular nutritious food, adequate housing, and sanitation, etc) let alone invest in human capital development
• Lack assets to earn sufficient income even in good years
• Are vulnerable to sinking into further depth of poverty in times of extreme shocks e.g. drought, livestock disease; floods etc
• Likely to engage in harmful coping strategies e.g. selling of assets, pulling children from school to earn for family, heavy borrowing
• With elderly, without adult labour, long term illness, severely Disabled
• Lack capacity to participate in productive programs e.g. income generating activities.

For more information visit HSNP website.