A new database system dubbed "Dynamic Social Registry System” with data on socio-economic status of households in Rwanda will help in the implementation of a strategy to lift 975, 680 households out of poverty, according to the local government ministry.

ALSO READ: Govt clarifies on reforming identification of needy people

The system was launched on Thursday, February 29.

This system replaces the old "Ubudehe categorisation" that has been used by social protection programmes and many other services including community-based health insurance among others.

ALSO READ: Where do you fall in the new Ubudehe categories?

The system developed in partnership with Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) uses a scoring system from ‘under Zero score’ to 100 to indicate households’ social-economic status. Those under 40 score are expected to benefit from social protection programmes as they are considered as vulnerable households.

ALSO READ: What next after govt scraps Ubudehe categories?

So far, the Minister for Local Government, Jean-Claude Musabyimana, said the system has recorded the socio-economic status of over three million households.

"In order to know socio-economic status, the system used some information from previous Ubudehe categories, updated information from households and data obtained from other systems such as land registry, Rwanda Revenue Authority system as well as National Identification Agency system,” he explained.

The land registry sends information about land properties owned by households, Rwanda Revenue Authority shows businesses and properties such as cars while the National Identification Agency system transfers birth registration information to this social registry system, he said.

"The system’s data will improve our planning for development and welfare of the residents. It will also guide partners who want to collaborate with the government in social protection programmes implementation.”

Musabyimana said the system will help track and monitor if vulnerable households have graduated out of poverty and extreme poverty after being supported.

ALSO READ: Govt to evaluate social protection programmes

Currently 315, 327 households have to be lifted out of poverty within two years before embarking on supporting other vulnerable families.Within two years, the government must allocate more than Rwf130 billion in addition to funding from non-government organisations, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations, and others who are required to embrace the graduation out-of-poverty approach.

According to the National Strategy for Sustainable Graduation (NSSG), there are key elements that are essential to achieve sustainable, long-term impact.

These include effective cash transfers, productive asset transfers, tailored planning, coaching, and mentoring, technical and life skills training, savings groups and specific support services.There are also services outside of social transfers and livelihood support, which help households overcome barriers to graduating.

These services include but are not limited to information, health, agriculture, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, electricity, business development, shock response, and others as required.Access to effective and functional markets and affordable prices, along with stable employment and infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals/health centres and schools, land tenure, good governance and protection from shocks which may be economic and social are also key elements.

Tackling corruption in social protection

According to Musabyimana, the tech-based database system will help eliminate corruption and bribes that were being solicited by local leaders to classify residents in the category of vulnerable people to be able to get support which they do not deserve.

ALSO READ: Corruption undermining Ubudehe gains

"Whoever wants to support needy people will be guided by the system. Now those implementing the VUP programme, Community-based health insurance scheme-Mutuelle de sante, and one cow per family programme and others can use the system,” he noted.

To check their socio-economic status, households should dial *195

Regis Hitimana, Chief Benefits Officer at Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) said that the system has identified those who have to pay for themselves health insurance premiums and vulnerable households who will be supported.

"Now, many people whom the government was paying for health insurance premiums have graduated and will now pay for themselves. We have 1.5 million households who could not afford health insurance premiums and now 70 per cent of them can pay for themselves,” he said.