The government has called for stakeholder collaboration to address poverty and vulnerability, especially during this time when the country is navigating the hunger situation amidst the drought.

Acting Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Brenda Tambatamba says it is an undeniable fact that the country faces critical food and nutrition insecurity due to the dry spells experienced during the 2023/24 farming season.

Speaking during the official opening of the 2024 Social Protection Joint Annual Review Stakeholder Conference, Ms. Tambatamba however assured that the government is cognizant of the mammoth task to reduce poverty and vulnerability which has further been exacerbated by the high cost of essential commodities.

Ms. Tambatamba disclosed that 952,570 newly registered and eligible households for the Emergency Cash Transfer response are receiving a cash transfer amounting to k400 per month for the 12-month duration of the intervention.

“The response has been phased such that 726,516 households in 84 districts are receiving Emergency Cash Transfers first, then followed by the remaining 226,054 households in 32 price shock affected households”, she said

Ms. Tambatamba said all these interventions among them, the Emergency Cash Transfer, Cash For Work Programme, Emergency Food Security Pack, and Importation of 650,000 metric tonnes, will enhance purchasing power in beneficiary households and facilitate improved food and nutrition security.

And UNICEF country Representative, Dr. Penelope Campbell, acknowledged that the drought situation has posed significant challenges affecting households’ income and food security.

She however assured of the UN’s steadfast support and commitment to Zambia in strengthening its social protection systems ensuring they are comprehensive and responsive to the needs of the communities.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Social Protection Corporation Partners group, Mr. Maximillian Bwalya applauded Zambia for making tremendous progress towards the expansion of access to social protection over the years making the social cash transfer one of the largest in coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa and encouraged for more investments in social protection, as it plays a role in responding to climate change, future pandemics and other shocks.