Gov’t releases K2m Social Cash Transfer for 6,000 Rufunsa households

GOVERNMENT has released more than two million Kwacha to Rufunsa District to benefit more than six thousand households who are on the Social Cash Transfer Programme.

Rufunsa District Assistant Social Welfare Officer, Janet Nkausu said this during a District Welfare Assistance Committee (DWAC) meeting held over the weekend.

Ms. Nkausu said that the District has received K2, 979,600.00 for the March/April bi-monthly payments for households that are on the social cash transfer programme.

“From the received amount, 5, 829 households will receive the usual K400.00 while 810 households with persons living with persons with disabilities will receive K800.00 per household,” said Ms. Nkausu.

She added that another K183, 600.00 has been received for the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) that will benefit more than five hundred (500) girls who are in secondary school.

Meanwhile, Rufunsa District Commissioner, Richard Mabena warned Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries who are fond of misusing the social protection money meant to reduce poverty at household level.

Mr. Mabena who monitored the social cash transfer payments, warned that those misusing the social cash transfer money risk being removed from the programme.

“Government is committed to reducing poverty at household level and the social cash transfer is one of the programmes put in place among other programmes such as the increased Constituency Development Fund,” said Mr. Mabena.

The District Commissioner said his office will soon start visiting the homes of all the beneficiaries to check on how they are using the money.

And Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries commended Government for continuing with the programme as it has helped them in many ways.

81-year-old Peter Kabwe said the money has helped him to prolong his life as he is able to buy medicines.

“I have a chronic illness which requires buying medicines and the Social Cash Transfer money has helped me a lot in buying these medicines,” said Mr. Kabwe.

And Rebecca Zulu, a widow, said she managed to hire people using social cash transfer to help her cultivate her maize field for the 2022/2023 farming season.

“The money has helped me in so many ways, like last year I was able to engage some people in cultivating my small field and with the fertilizer from Community Development am expecting a good yield,” said Ms. Zulu

Ms. Zulu appealed to the Government to continue with the programme of helping the less privileged in society.