• COMMUNITY Development, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Dorothy Kazunga (right) handsover K280 social cash transfer money to Mumba Andala, who is one of the beneficiaries of the scheme in Kitwe. Picture by MOFFAT CHAZINGWA

By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA and MARILYN ROSE –
COMMUNITY Development, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Dorothy Kazunga yesterday launched the Social Cash Transfer Scheme in Kitwe with an assurance of Government’s commitment to fighting extreme poverty and disease in the country.
Ms Kazunga said Government remained committed to improving the living standards of the people and would endeavour to provide the necessary financial and technical support for effective implementation of the programmes.
She said this when she handed over K280 cash to each of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme beneficiaries in Kitwe at a ceremony held at Mulenga Primary School.
795 households in the districts have been identified as beneficiaries of the social cash transfer scheme with K222, 600 bi-monthly value of funds to be given out.
Ms Kazunga said Government attached importance to every citizen especially the disadvantaged.
This was demonstrated by a number of measures Government had put in place, in a streamlined manner aimed at addressing the plight of the poor people.
“The social cash transfer scheme we are launching today (yesterday) is one such measure with evident impacts on the lives of the beneficiaries,” Ms Kazunga said.
She said the social cash transfer programme had proved to be one of the most effective tools for the achievement of sustainable economic growth.
Many studies including in the country, showed that recipients of the social cash transfers also engage in economic activities such as investing in small livestock and off farm activities thereby improving the welfare of beneficiaries.
Kitwe District Commissioner Elias Kamanga said the social cash transfer programme had demonstrated the PF regime was a Government for all, including the vulnerable in society.
Mumba Andala, one of the beneficiaries praised Government for the scheme which she said was a milestone towards economic empowerment of the vulnerable.