Persons living with disabilities have thanked Government, for prioritizing them in the anticipated resettlement plan.

The government through the Ministry of Community Development working with the office of the vice president, has announced that plans are underway to resettle vulnerable people, starting with those living with disabilities, followed by the elderly, before moving to other groups.

This development is aimed at decongesting crowded compounds in Lusaka to facilitate for a well-coordinated approach to managing the welfare of vulnerable people in a dignified environment.

Speaking when Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms Doreen Mwamba interacted with Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries in Chawama compound, Mr Benedictus Bwalya, said persons with disabilities are appreciative of Government’s non-segregative stance on matters of national development which has incorporated persons with disabilities.

Being a teacher himself, Mr Bwalwa is happy that 451 teachers with disabilities were employed in the latest teacher recruitment exercise, apart from being involved in many empowerment programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer.

And the Minister assured the gathering that Government cares for them, and will not relent in improving the policy environment to increase social protection support in all areas.

Ms Mwamba said the New Dawn Administration’s passion for vulnerable people is evidenced by the increase of the Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries from about 500,000 in 2021 to over 1.3 Million as of today.

She therefore encouraged beneficiaries to support the Government in its pursuit to promote socio-economic development in various sectors especially for vulnerable people.