VUP Program Beneficiary Participation
The Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme (VUP) supports an estimated 391,000 households (1.6 million individuals), with most participants residing in rural areas. Based on a weighted sample of 3,771 households, participation is highest in the Nutrition-Sensitive Direct Support (NSDS), followed by Direct Support (DS), Classic and Expanded Public Works (cPW/ePW), and Financial Services (FS). Asset Transfers and Skills Development show high variability, which limits the precision and usefulness of the estimates.
Socio-economic and Demographic Profile
Overall, 41% of VUP households live in poverty (9% extreme, 32% moderate). Poverty is most concentrated among cPW (48.5%) and ePW (43.5%) participants. Annual median consumption per adult equivalent is RWF 615,789, lowest among cPW and highest among FS beneficiaries. Most cPW and ePW households fall within the bottom three wealth quintiles, while FS participants are relatively more secure.
Demographically, 58% of households are male-headed, with female-headed households predominant in DS (69%) and ePW (58%). DS serves the most vulnerable: elderly (72%), widowed (62%), and those without formal education (54.5%). Disability prevalence among VUP households is 9%, rising to 23% within the DS component. Household size averages 4.1, and the age dependency ratio is 102, highest in DS (152).
Access to basic Services
Most beneficiaries (87%) have health insurance, but coverage is lower among cPW households. Access to improved drinking water and sanitation is generally high, but 12% still rely on unsafe water sources. Housing quality remains poor, particularly in NSDS, with only 13-29% having improved flooring and 83% living on earth or dung floors. Average travel time to services is 37 minutes for health centers and 61 minutes for markets.
Energy, Cooking, and Communication
Electricity access is at 64% overall, lowest in DS (58%). Firewood is the dominant cooking fuel (96%), and 44% use traditional stoves (three-stones). Mobile phone ownership stands at 72%, but only 48% in DS. Radios (75%) are the most common asset; TVs and smartphones are rare. Livestock ownership is moderate (62%), with higher rates in FS.
Component-specific Insights:
DS: Targets the extremely poor, especially those unemployed or caregiving. Average annual support is RWF 128,572, mostly used for food and healthcare. Payment delays are common.
cPW: Participants work approximately 4.5 months/year, earning RWF 88,000 annually. Most payments are delayed; funds go mainly to food, clothing, education, and savings.
ePW: ePW participants worked about 10 months a year, but only 39% of the extremely poor received full payment, compared to higher rates among the moderately poor and non-poor, with widespread payment delays and low earnings. Most beneficiaries spent earnings on food and 58% saved through Ejo Heza.
NSDS: Targets mothers and caregivers, providing quarterly support averaging 31,128 RWF. While uptake of health services is high, only 17% of beneficiaries received timely payments, with delays particularly affecting nearly 20% of the extremely poor. The support is primarily used to meet basic needs such as food and clothing.
FS: Offers loans (on average 100,000 RWF) for income-generating activities, mostly for farming, livestock, and business. Most beneficiaries follow through with initial investment plans, particularly in agriculture.