By Solister Mogha

Zomba, March 10, Mana: World Bank mission has commended Zomba District Council for implementing Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP) to the satisfaction of the mission.

Senior Social Protection Officer for the Bank, Chipo Msowoya on Monday expressed satisfaction on the implementation of SSRLP during the mission's engagement with some of Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) participating communities at Sambaisa catchment in Zomba where the participating communities also organise themselves into Village Savings and Loan groups.

Msowoya said, based on the interactions, it was evident enough that the objectives of the SSRP   were being achieved.

“It is exciting to hear from participating communities on how they are benefiting from the programme and also how activities under the programme are benefiting and improving their likelihoods,” added Msowoya.

He said the mission whose main objective was to understand how the SSRLP was being implemented and impacting on Malawians is confident of the sustainability of the programme and long lasting structures.

Under the SSRLP, Malawi Government with support from the multi donor Trust Fund is implementing social support activities that are meant to end ultra-poverty while building resilience amongst rural population listed in SSRP.

Executive Director for National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) Dr, Kondwani Santhe whose team joined the mission said the essence of the trip was also meant to appreciate successes and challenges in the implementation of social support programmes.

“We are not here for fault finding. We are here to appreciate successes and challenges and together, find solutions to impending issues,” he added and explained that all issues discussed during the interactions with the community and Zomba District Council officials have been noted and will be looked into.

District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula expressed gratitude for the bank and the whole Multi donor Trust Fund team for visiting the district to appreciate SSRLP implementation.

Chavula said people in Zomba were committed to work hard in all the social protection programmes, observing that programmes have transformed a lot of lives through active participation.

"To be honest with you, the money under the social protection is making a huge impact on people in Zomba. Many have joined Village Savings and Loans groups such that they establish small scale businesses to support themselves,” she said.

Before Zomba, the mission also visited Machinga District Council where it also appreciated SSRLP implementation.