The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has provided MVR 58.8 million in financial assistance to persons with disabilities in October.
According to statistics released today by the agency, 16,049 people were registered on the national register of persons with disabilities by the end of last month.
Of them, 15,862 received financial assistance in October. A further 199 people were newly added to the register during the month.
Men make up the majority of those registered, with 9,272 men and 6,777 women on the register.
By age, 8,131 people on the register are between 18 and 64 years old, made up of 4,143 men and 3,988 women. Most of those registered have physical disabilities.
NSPA also continued support through its other social protection programmes in October.
More than MVR 17 million was given to 3,310 single parents caring for 5,666 children, with 47 new parents joining the programme last month.
A total of MVR 1,092,000 was provided to 546 children living with thalassaemia. MVR 181,000 went to 100 people caring for children without parental support, and MVR 26,080 in food assistance was given to 652 people.
The government continues to prioritise improving the lives of persons with disabilities, including through specialised training and job opportunities.
