Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda says government has taken bold steps to enhance social protection programme by repositioning the Unified Beneficiary Registry (UBR) to the Malawi Social Registry (MSR).
UBR is a social registry which keeps data for social support programmes, research purposes and impact evaluations.
In a statement following the launch of the National Social Protection Policy in Lilongwe on Friday last week, the minister said this will help to improve its purpose and functionality.
“This will enhance timely identification and support of affected populations,” said Chithyola-Banda.
MSR, also known as UBR, is a system designed to provide a consolidated source of information on the socio-economic status of the country’s households.
MSR/UBR manager Kondwani Mjumira is quoted in the statement as having said that with the MSR, Malawi is transitioning to a better and more vibrant real-time social registry.
On his part, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs deputy director of economic planning and development Dalitso Kalimba said the remodelling makes the UBR more responsive, scalable, efficient and reliable for government and partner programmes in targeting populations of choice.
Civil society advocate Willy Kambwandira urged government to move quickly and uphold its commitments so that rural implementers can target deserving beneficiaries more promptly and efficiently.
Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project team task leader and World Bank senior social protection specialist Chipo Msowoya said the MSR evolution towards increased dynamism will not only eliminate fragmentation in terms of targeting, but also bring in efficiency gains.
The MSR aligns with global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, emphasising resource efficiency while advancing human well-being.
