The Institute has a general plan for 2006-2016, which is consistent with the government's strategic objectives on poverty reduction, since it contributes to achieving short-, medium- and long-term results by reducing the vulnerability of the communities most exposed to disasters. The plan includes specific actions for the country's arid zones, such as the generation of income from non-agricultural work, the development of conservation agriculture, the development of rainwater harvesting projects and measures to ensure the supply of drinking water to communities (Macaringue, 2010). Firstly, the Direct Social Support Programme (Programa de Apoyo Social Directo - PASD) includes a transfer in kind to households whose members are temporarily unable to participate in the labour market. The PASD is also conceived as permanent support for the most vulnerable households.