Takaful and Karama to handout cash subsidies to children under six: Children under the age of six will be getting a monthly stipend of EGP 60 from the state’s Takaful and Karama cash subsidy programs for the first time starting August, Deputy Social Solidarity Minister Nivine El Kabbag tells AMAY. The programs, which used to extend only to school children, will cover up to three children per family, taking the youngest by default. Children in primary school will receive an EGP 80 stipend, up from EGP 60 before, while those in middle school will get EGP 100, and those in high school will get EGP 140 a month, El Kabbag added.

On a related note, the move to cash subsidies got a pat on the back from Parliament yesterday. Mohamed Elsewedy, leader of the Support Egypt Coalition (Parliament’s biggest bloc) publically endorsed the move, telling reporters the transition to cash was inevitable. Elsewedy also lauded the government’s recent move to lift fuel subsidies further, saying that the gradual phase-out of fuel and energy subsidies will allow the state to direct resources where they’re most needed, such as social welfare, healthcare, and transportation.