By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, May 21, Mana: Department of Economic Planning and Development in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs on Tuesday oriented Balaka District Council on National Social Protection Policy (NSPP).
NSSP is meant to create a more comprehensive and sustainable social protection system, focusing on reducing poverty, improving livelihood and increasing resilience for vulnerable groups.
Balaka District Community Development Officer, Macdonald Nyaka, welcomed the orientation saying the district looks forward to successful implementation of social protection programmes.
The district registered challenges in implementing Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) and other social protection programmes.
Weak instructional frameworks, limited resources, coordination issues and difficulties in reaching beneficiaries particularly in far to reach areas are some of the challenges faced in implementation of social protection programmes in Balaka.
“Despite the challenges, we foresee strong coordination, support and proper direction in all key sectors such as the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), nutrition, Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare and agriculture among others with one goal of eradicating poverty and empower vulnerable households across Balaka,” said Nyaka.
He, therefore, called for patriotism and dedication from all stakeholders so that all social protection programmes that are being rolled out in the district should ultimately focus on rescuing rural masses from poverty and other human challenges.
An economist in the Department of Economic Planning and Development, Laureen Kumwenda, said government recognizes the need for policy framework that guides designing and implementation of successful social protection programmes at district level.
She, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders to support NSPP, adding that the policy helps government and citizens to achieve human capital development, an enabler of Malawi 2063.
