The World Bank says it is proud of the strides that Zambia has made, and continues to make with regards to alleviating poverty through implementation of social protection programmes.

World Bank incoming Director for Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, Mr Nathan Belete says Zambia has made exceptional effort and progress in uplifting the welfare of those affected by extreme poverty, through various social protection programmes under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

Speaking when he led a team to pay a courtesy call on Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba, Mr Belete acknowledged that social safety nets have to be enhanced to guarantee social security for the vulnerable in society.

Mr Belete assured the Minister that the World Bank will continue to support Zambia to achieve its goals of ending hunger and vulnerability in the country.

He also appreciated the long standing collaboration which has resulted in successful implementation of many social protection programmes such as the Social Cash Transfers, GEWEL project among others.

“This is the greatest collaboration we can have with your government to eradicate poverty,” the incoming Director said, and called for boosting of the social registry in order to make accurate targeting of beneficiaries for effective results.

And Ms. Mwamba highlighted the New Dawn government’s resolve and commitment to continue investing in an effective social protection system that is shock responsive, considering that natural disasters such as droughts and floods are becoming common and acute.

“With your support, we have commenced implementation of the Cash Plus approach to social protection, so as to quickly lift our people out of poverty and facilitate the much needed graduation to add more poor and vulnerable people to the programmes” she said.

The Minister said the transfer value of cash transfers have also been increased to address adequacy concerns and ensure that the transfers are not eroded by inflation.