Over 146,436 households in Kasama benefit from Social Cash Transfer

The Department of Social Welfare in Northern Province says over 146,436 households are currently benefiting from the Socia l Cash Transfers Program me in the province.

Provincial Social Welfare Officer Sebastian Pasuwa explained that the programme has brought a significant impact on vulnerable people in the province.

Mr Pasuwa told ZANIS in an interview that many beneficiaries have used the funds from Social Cash Transfers to invest in agriculture and livestock.

He has since assured the public that there will be no hunger among vulnerable people in the region due to the positive impact of the Social Cash Transfer Progr ammme.

Mr Pasuwa also emphasized the timeliness of the transfers, stating that beneficiaries receive their funds every two months, enabling them to plan effectively.

Meanwhile, Mr Pasuwa has disclosed that Chilubi and Mungwi Districts are expected to receive additional Social Cash Transfer funds this month to mitigate the anticipated floods in these districts.

“We anticipate that Mungwi and Chilubi districts will experience flooding this year, so the government is taking proactive measures to intervene before the situation escalates."

"Beneficiaries in these two districts will receive an additional K200 per household for a duration of six months, totalling K1200 per household. This assistance aims to mitigate the potential impact of the impending floods,” he said.

And Mr Pasuwa said the country is soon expected to initiate efforts to register more individuals to be added to the Social Cash T ransfer Programme.

“This initiative is part of the disaster response following the President’s declaration of a state of emergency due to drought. “He said

He adds that this will aim to assess the level of intervention required, particularly in the 84 districts severely affected by drought.

Mr. Pasuwa also highlighted that about 12,924 girls have benefited from the Keeping Girls in School Grant Programme across seven districts in the province.

“Under this program, social welfare is providing K600 per child to help them buy the needed school basics.” He said

And Mr Pasuwa has disclosed that the department has procured eleven wheelchairs and crutches for persons with disabilities to help them with assistive devices.