By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, May 30, Mana: At least 29, 598 households under the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CS-PWP) will benefit from the Scalable Safety Nets in Thyolo District.

National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) Shock Sensitive Specialist, Mulder Mkutumula disclosed this on Wednesday during a meeting with the Thyolo District Social Support Committee (DSSC).

"The programme will run for three months starting from June to August and beneficiaries will get K50, 000 per month.

"However, they will be given the money in a lump sum of K150, 000 by mid or end of June to ensure that they are able to buy maize now that it is relatively cheap than later," he said.

Mkutumula said out of the 29, 598 households, 16, 658 households are from the Social Cash Transfer Programme while 12, 940 are ultra-poor households drawn from the CS-PWP.

"Beneficiaries will receive the money through e-payment where we use TNM Mpamba," he added.

Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Thyolo District Council, Enerst Kaphuka described the move as timely and critical, especially as we are in the harvesting season.

He said the money would enable the most vulnerable households to purchase maize; thereby, ensuring food security and stability in the community.

"This money will ensure that thousands of household’s secure maize supplies to last them for at least three to five months.

"This will help in improving nutritional standards and enhancing the health and well-being of our people" the DPD said.

 Kaphuka added that giving K50, 000 per household per month will significantly boost the local economy.

"As households purchase maize and other essentials, local markets will experience increased activity, benefiting traders and contributing to the overall economic vibrancy of our district," he pointed out.