By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, October 2, Mana: Over K1.6 billion has been disbursed to 7,000 households in a single phase of Malawi Government, Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Nsanje District as recipients receive K225,000 above according to family size and status of members.

Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira confirmed on Wednesday to Malawi News Agency, saying the just-ended cycle saw households receiving K225,000 while others received more.

“Other beneficiaries received K225,00o while others received as much as K300,000 per cycle," he added and advised the recipients to utilize the money wisely and invest where possible.

“Government has pumped in a lot of resources in various programmes including the Social Cash Transfer Programme," he added

Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme, Abdulrazack Duwa said despite that the new beneficiaries in the SCTP have only received the cash twice, there was positive feedback from the recipients.

“Some bought food, others have bought iron sheets, and some are investing the money in Village Savings and Loan,” he added and expressed optimism that life of the beneficiary households would improve as some of them were becoming economically self-reliant.

The disparity in cash among recipients occurs due to several factors that include household size and rate of vulnerability, according to Duwa

Nsanje District so far enrolled 7,000 households in the Social Cash Transfer Programme, a Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project in Malawi which is meant to improve resilience among the poor and vulnerable population.

The SCTP is also meant to strengthen the national platform for safety nets.