World Bank hails Masaf IV
The World Bank yesterday hailed Malawi Social Action Fund (Masaf) IV programme, saying it is on the right course towards improving lives of rural communities in Traditional Authority Kamenyagwaza in Dedza.
Masaf IV started in 2014 and it is implementing the Social Cash Transfer (SCT), Public Works Programme (PWP), Community Savings and Investment Promotion (Comsip) and Village Savings and Loans (VSL) initiatives within the Malawi National Social Support Programme (NSSP).
Speaking when he visited Fisimulipe communities in group village head Kaboola to appreciate some of the products done under Comsip, World Bank country manager Greg Toulmin told journalists that the bank is impressed with the programme’s progress.
He said: “We started to work with Malawi government to help it arrest poverty in many parts of the country. We have seen things which people do in terms of growing vegetables and food crops. These are the right things which can help houses to become less economically dependent.”
According to the 2018 Masaf IV implementation progress report, SCT, PWP, Comsip and VLS initiatives were imbedded in the programme to help improve lives of rural communities, an initiative which is consistent with principles of national policy outlined in Section 13 of the Malawi Constitution.
At national level, the report indicates that the programme, which has a total funding commitment of $177.8 million (about K130.1 billion) mobilised over 164 000 members, 69 percent of which are women who were trained in financial literacy and business management, among other areas.
In his remarks, Dedza district commissioner Ellis Tembo said about K1.7 billion was spent to support over 29 000 beneficiaries in the district’s 29 catchment areas.
Some of the beneficiaries, Eliza Mgono and Simeon Maliko, both from Kamuguritse cluster, said they are now able to support their families’ various needs.
On his part, T/A Kamenyagwaza said the programme has improved people’s lives in the area.
He said: “The Comsip programme is alleviating hunger and poverty in households but also helping people to be self-dependent.”
Masaf IV is supporting four district councils under the SCT programmes but only Dedza and Nkhata Bay are fully covered and operational.
