The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has commenced disbursement of the Emergency Social Cash Transfer to over 3,000 households in Chama District, Eastern Province, that were severely affected by a long dry spell during the 2024/2025 farming season.

The Emergency Cash Transfer programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and is intended to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households as they recover from the adverse effects of the drought, which significantly impacted crop production and household food security.

Meanwhile, Ministry Permanent Secretary Ms. Angela Kawandami has disclosed that the Ministry has also commenced payments of the November–December regular Social Cash Transfer to 1.3 million beneficiaries countrywide.

Ms. Kawandami said the payment cycle commenced on Tuesday, 30th December 2025, and advised beneficiaries to check with their respective Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to confirm the availability of their funds.

“Payments are progressing well on all payment platforms,” Ms. Kawandami said.

The Permanent Secretary says Lundazi is one of the Districts which has been prioritized for SCT payments following the floods being experienced.

She further assured that the Ministry remains committed to the timely, transparent, and accountable delivery of social protection interventions, and urged beneficiaries to utilize the cash transfers prudently to meet priority household needs.