Govt Launches COVID-19 Emergency Cash Transfer

Government, through Ministry of Community Development and Social Services with support from cooperating partners, has launched the emergency Covid-19 social cash transfer.

Community Development Minister Kampamba Mulenga says the disbursement to beneficiaries is expected to start within the course of the week. Ms Mulenga says the emergency social cash transfer will help to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 in vulnerable homes of the elderly, women and their children including those in the informal sector.

International Labor Organization -ILO -Director Country Office for Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, George Okutho, said COVID 19 has presented challenges of loss of employment in many sectors. He said the emergency social cash transfer will help address social protection.

And World Food Program Deputy Country Director Jayoung Lee said her organisation will work with Government to distribute food across the country in vulnerable homes.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative Sam Mwadzikwa pledged to support Government to execute successfully the emergency social cash transfer to all intended beneficiaries across the country.

The COVID 19 Emergency Cash Transfer is being supported by UNICEF, International Labour Organization, UNDP and development partners; The European Union, Germany Development Cooperation, KFW Development Bank, Sweden, Ireland and the United Kingdom as well as Civil Society Organisations who have contributed immensely towards this response.