National Local Government Finance Committee has courted Karonga District Executive Committee’s (DEC) social protection members on plans for government to implement a scalable mechanism initiative for 12 500 families affected by prolonged dry spells in the district.
In an interview on Friday, the committee’s electronic-payment specialist Jane Chidengu said about 17 percent of vulnerable population will get the financial support to cushion effects of natural shocks.
She said: “We met committees responsible for social protection initiatives to brief them about the scalable mechanism which is one of the interventions under the Social Support for Resilient and Livelihood Programme [SSRLP] which targets those on Social Cash Transfer Programme and Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme.
“On Social Cash Transfer Programme, the report indicated that 17 percent of the Karonga vulnerable population was affected by drought. So, 10 percent of the 12 500 beneficiaries will get a three-month lump sum of K150 000 while the council will select seven percent out of the 17 percent to benefit under the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme.”
However, while commending government for the initiative, Zgeba Ward councillor Isaac Kalambo asked relevant authorities to use local development structures to identify right beneficiaries.
“If the initiative is to bear fruits, let relevant authorities use local structures such as traditional leaders and ward councillors because these are people who know the right beneficiaries,” he said.
With funding from the World Bank and Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund, the National Local Government Finance Committee is implementing the SSRLP in the country.
