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Climate-smart initiative key to development—minister

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Sosten Gwengwe says investing in climate-smart initiative is crucial to the country’s socio-economic and empowerment of ultra-poor households.

In an interviewon Thursday in Chiradzulu during the launch of the $128 million (K133 billion) World Bank- funded Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme, the minister said the initiative gives the targeted 435 000 ultra-poor households the ability to increase income and strengthen resilience to climatic shocks.

Minister of Finance: Gwengwe

He said: “They will be paid for doing integrated watershed management activities, among others, in their catchment areas.

“We encourage participants to join Community Savings and Investment Promotion [Comsip] groups to develop a culture of saving and investment to get out of poverty. The works will also rehabilitate the degraded environment, thereby enhancing resilience for sustainable development.”

In his remarks, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Blessings Chinsinga asked district council officials to use resources prudently to ensure that the success of the programme trickles down to the rural poor.

“There should be accountability as government strives for value for money so that our people become self-reliant,” he said.

World Bank country manager for Malawi Hugh Riddell described the programme as a game-changer in restoring the environment and promoting livelihoods.

“Malawi needs serious change on climate adaption over the coming years. The programme enhances community participation in having health landscapes and be equipped with capacity to eliminate poverty,” he said.

The Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme is a component of Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project being implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee and Comsip for two years.

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