Masaf IV to benefit 752 960 households
Malawi’s Finance, Economic Planning and Development Minister Goodall Gondwe has said government expects the fourth generation Malawi Social Action Fund (Masaf IV) will benefit about 752 960 poor households across the country.
Gondwe made the revelation yesterday at Capital Hill during the signing of loan agreements for two projects, namely Masaf IV and the Skills Development Project worth a combined $83.8 million (approximately K34 billion).
“It is hoped that Masaf IV will benefit about 752 960 households through cash transfers for productive community-driven public works, social cash transfers and livelihood support in four years,” said Gondwe.
Gondwe said it is estimated that the cost of the project for the next four years will be $107 million, adding that the signed $32.8 million (about K13 billion) was just part of financing that the World Bank will provide to the project.
He added: “Very soon, government will be engaging the bank for the remaining $74.2 million financing for the project.”
He said the Masaf project will have three components of productive safety nets, systems and capacity building and project management.
Gondwe explained that the under safety nets programme, which is the main component of the project, the project will finance cash transfers through labour intensive programmes in areas of productive community- driven public works, livelihood and skills development interventions for poor households and social cash transfers for those who are most vulnerable.
“The interventions are very important considering the poverty levels in the country and the high numbers of vulnerable groups in Malawi,” added Gondwe.
The minister said through such activities, the poor and vulnerable people will be empowered to engage in some economic activity, thereby reducing their poverty.
He said further to that, eligible community-driven projects, ranging from water supply and irrigation, bridges, storage facilities for maize and other grains, maize mills, oil mills, afforestation, nurseries for seedling cultivation, soil and water conservation dams, among others, will be financed.
