World Bank pleased with Zambia's progress in social protection

The World Bank says it is proud of Zambia's progress in alleviating poverty through the implementation of social protection programmes.

Zambia: The World Bank says it is proud of Zambia's progress in alleviating poverty through the implementation of social protection programmes.

According to Mr Nathan Belete, the World Bank's incoming Director for Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, Zambia has made exceptional efforts and progress in improving the welfare of those living in extreme poverty through various social protection programmes administered by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

Mr Belete acknowledged the importance of social safety nets when he led a delegation to pay a courtesy call to the Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms Doreen Mwamba.

Mr Belete assured the Minister that the World Bank will continue to assist Zambia in meeting its goals of eradicating hunger and vulnerability.

He also praised the long-standing collaboration that has resulted in the successful implementation of numerous social protection programmes, including Social Cash Transfers and the 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.

Ms Mwamba also emphasised the New Dawn government's resolve and commitment to continue investing in an effective social protection system that is shockingly responsive, given the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters such as droughts and floods.

"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 also stated that the transfer value of cash transfers has been increased to address adequacy concerns and to prevent transfers from being eroded by inflation.