Cabinet is reportedly planning to increase the Karama and Takaful programmes to 1.5 million families (c7.5 million citizen) by FY17/18 fiscal year, from a current 706 thousand families (c3 million citizens) since the programme launched. The two programmes were implemented since March 2015. Karama provides the elderly and the disabled with a cash stipend. Takaful is a conditional cash transfer made four times a year to families with children (until the age of 18) and is conditional upon their school attendance. Families under Takaful receive a base stipend of EGP325/month compounded every three months, and an additional amount for each child. (Al Shorouk)