By Jones Gadama
Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Salima District have expressed their gratitude to the government for its swift response to the recent El Niño-induced dry spells.
The beneficiaries praised the timely disbursement of emergency funds, which helped them cope with food shortages.
One beneficiary, Sidya Isa, a mother of four from the area of Traditional Authority Maganga, said the money she received was a lifeline for her household. “The money came just when we had nothing in the house,” Isa said,adding that,”I was able to buy 50 kilogrammes of maize and still had enough to purchase beans and cooking oil. Without this help, my children would have gone to bed hungry.”
Isa’s sentiments were echoed by another beneficiary, 78-year-old Mwanaiba Ali, from the same area.
Ali said the support allowed her to survive a period of great uncertainty. “I am grateful for the help,” Ali said. “It has made a big difference in my life.”
The beneficiaries received K70,000 each as a top-up on the usual transfers they get under the programme bi-monthly.
At least 8,365 beneficiary households were budgeted for under the exercise in the district.
Social Welfare Officer responsible for the Social Cash Transfer Programme in Salima, Thumbiko Mbale, said the exercise was a success.
“The use of mobile money platforms and bank transfers has greatly improved the process and reduced congestion at pay points,” Mbale said.
The SCTP is a Malawi Government social protection programme that helps ultra-poor and labour-constrained households.
The programme provides cash transfers to eligible households to help them meet their basic needs.
The El Niño-induced dry spells had a significant impact on food security in Salima District, with many households struggling to access food.
The government’s response to the crisis was swift, with the disbursement of emergency funds to affected households.
The SCTP beneficiaries in Salima District are grateful for the government’s support, which has helped them cope with the effects of the dry spells.
The programme has made a significant difference in the lives of the beneficiaries, providing them with a safety net during a difficult time.
The success of the SCTP in Salima District is a testament to the government’s commitment to social protection.
The programme has been effective in reaching vulnerable households and providing them with the support they need to survive.
The SCTP beneficiaries in Salima District have hailed the government’s response to the El Niño-induced dry spells.
The timely disbursement of emergency funds has helped them cope with food shortages, and the programme has made a significant difference in their lives.
The government’s commitment to social protection is evident in the success of the SCTP, and the programme will continue to play a critical role in supporting vulnerable households in Malawi.
The SCTP is an important programme that provides a safety net for vulnerable households in Malawi.
The programme’s success in Salima District is a testament to the government’s commitment to social protection, and it will continue to play a critical role in supporting households affected by disasters and other shocks.
The use of mobile money platforms and bank transfers has improved the efficiency of the programme, reducing congestion at pay points and making it easier for beneficiaries to access their cash transfers.
This innovation has been instrumental in ensuring that the programme reaches beneficiaries in a timely manner.
As the country continues to face the challenges of climate change, the SCTP will play an increasingly important role in supporting vulnerable households.
The programme’s success in Salima District is a model for other districts, and it will continue to be an important part of the government’s social protection strategy.
In the long term, the SCTP will help to reduce poverty and vulnerability in Malawi.
By providing a safety net for vulnerable households, the programme will enable them to invest in their future, improve their livelihoods, and break the cycle of poverty.
The SCTP is a critical component of the government’s social protection strategy, and its success in Salima District is a testament to the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable households.
As the programme continues to grow and expand, it will play an increasingly important role in reducing poverty and vulnerability in Malawi.
