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The Zambian government has commenced disbursing Drought Emergency Cash Transfers to address the severe impacts of the ongoing drought, which has affected an estimated 8.9 million people.
President Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought a disaster due to significant food insecurity.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services plans to spend K8,606,271,202.38 over the next 12 months on this intervention, according to Permanent Secretary Angela Kawandami.
Payments are being made bi-monthly to 1.3 million households already receiving Social Cash Transfers and an additional 726,361 households identified through a recent assessment.
With 6.6 million people in 84 out of 116 districts across seven provinces facing severe food insecurity, the Ministry has started the first payment cycle.
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The cash transfer value is K400 per month for new beneficiaries and an additional K200 for existing Social Cash Transfer recipients.
The government has allocated K5.4 million through a supplementary budget, with the World Bank and other partners contributing US$207.6 million to support the emergency cash transfers.
Kawandami highlighted that the drought response utilizes a multi-sectoral approach and the Cash-Plus model.
“I want to appreciate the support from the World Bank, UNICEF, and other cooperating partners for supporting the government in uplifting the welfare of the poor and vulnerable,” she said.
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