Zambia on Tuesday launched an emergency COVID-19 social cash transfer scheme to help vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic.
Kampamba Mulenga, Minister of Community Development, said the emergency social cash transfer will help mitigate the impact of the pandemic in vulnerable homes of the elderly, women and their children.
She said during a press briefing that the disbursement to beneficiaries will commence before the end of this week, adding that the initiative was being supported by cooperating partners.
The beneficiaries will be given money as well as food hampers for a period of six months, she added.
George Okutho, International Labor Organization Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique said during the same press briefing that the pandemic has placed challenges of loss of employment in many sectors, adding that the emergency social cash transfer will help address social protection.
World Food Programme Country Director Jayoung Lee said the United Nations agency will work with the government to distribute food across the country in vulnerable homes.
