Govt concludes assessment, expands coverage of Emergency Cash Transfer beneficiaries

Government has concluded the national rapid assessment and enumeration exercise for Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) beneficiaries.

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Doreen Mwamba, said the Ministry had also expanded the coverage of Emergency Cash Transfers.

Mwamba said this in Lusaka on Wednesday when she met various stakeholders at her Ministry.

She reiterated that government was targeting more than 720,000 additional new households in response to the price shocks that the country was facing as a result of crop failure.

“The national rapid assessment and enumeration exercise will not only outline strategies and response measures to the drought but also contribute to the development of a comprehensive national social registry,” Mwamba said.

She stated that government had disbursed funds towards the ECT transfers to more than 450,000 households in 39 districts.

Mwamba said these were covered by the urban price shock and food security shock response initiatives.

“This will also help to effectively and comprehensively respond to the drought situation, which was declared a national disaster and emergency by Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema on February, 29, 2024,” she added.

Mwamba disclosed further that government would also implement the emergency wetlands cropping intervention under the Food Security Pack (FSP) programme.

She highlighted that this would support an additional 300,000 farmer households to grow maize and vegetables using irrigation facilities during the dry season to promote food security.

“This is also in governments quest to empower more women and appreciates the support from all its cooperating partners,” Mwamba said.

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