Haiti's Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) has started sending cash to families who qualify for the government's school subsidy. Director General Kesner Romilus announced the first wave of payments at a press briefing on Monday, October 5.

The first wave reaches 94,084 beneficiaries: 73,948 parents of schoolchildren and 20,136 vulnerable families. Each receives 15,000 gourdes, about $115, for a total of more than 1.4 billion gourdes.

The money is sent by mobile phone. NatCash serves 47,707 beneficiaries and MonCash serves 46,377. FAES pays the withdrawal fees, so families receive the full amount.

The government's target is 150,000 families: 120,000 parents of schoolchildren and 30,000 vulnerable families. A second wave, for the remaining 55,916, was scheduled for the end of this week.

Romilus warned families about fraud. Each beneficiary must use their own phone number. Never share your NatCash or MonCash secret code with anyone, even someone who claims to work for FAES, Natcom or Digicel. FAES never asks for money to put a name on the list.

FAES, which works under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, said it is also preparing cash transfers for workers in the textile sector and in domestic manufacturing.