The population of Papua New Guinea is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. Women are disproportionately affected and often lack access to financial tools to manage climate risks, leaving families exposed to poverty and economic hardship. Immediate cash pay-outs are critical to empowering the smallholders and market vendors whom Mama Bank supports, 80% of whom are women, to manage the risks they face from earthquakes, droughts, excessive rain, and cyclones. In addition, this initiative ensures Mama Bank remains financially viable and able to support these communities long-term. This initiative was developed in partnership with UNCDF, with pay-outs transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The policy includes six trigger points per peril, with pay-outs scaled to severity. This initiative helps families recover faster and keep their businesses afloat, despite the growing impacts of climate change. UNCDF also provides five years of technical assistance to Mama Bank.
Mama Bank is the Pacific’s first women’s microbank, pioneering financial inclusion for women and serving thousands across Papua New Guinea.
People protected across 5 years
Perils covered
Maximum pay-out across 5 years
