The Sunday News
Debra Matabvu
The Government last year spent over $5 billion towards cushioning thousands of poor and vulnerable households from the negative economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown-induced difficulties.
More than 4 million individuals received social protection support under 11 Government-led programmes that include the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy (FDMS), the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer (HSCT), and the Health Assistance Programme among other social support interventions.
Some of the programmes were co-funded by development partners. Data obtained from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare shows that the Government used $2 billion to provide educational assistance to 1 163 738 vulnerable children under BEAM. An additional $2,1 billion was used to fund the FDMS, a drought relief programme, under which 2,6 million individuals living in urban centres were supported.
Over 8 910 tonnes of grain was distributed to 1,4 million individuals from poor districts across the country under this programme.
Public Service Minister Professor Paul Mavima said the Government will continue to provide social protection to the needy.
“Various inclusive social protection programmes are being implemented to reduce poverty and vulnerability among the citizenry,” said Prof Mavima. These interventions are being done through in-kind and cash transfers, food, health and education assistance, and child protection services among others.
“Chief among the programmes include the BEAM, Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy (FDMS) popularly known as drought relief, HSCT, Health Assistance, and the National Case Management system for the welfare and protection of children.
“Of importance is to note that all programming deliberately mainstreams persons with disabilities so that they enjoy their rights and realise their full potential given the vulnerability they face.”
Additionally, Treasury released $740 million for direct cash transfers to 78 000 households under the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer, which was introduced to cushion vulnerable households from the effects of Covid-19 induced lockdowns.
A total of $42 million was used to provide medical fee waivers to 13 800 persons living with disabilities, those with long-term illnesses, dependants of the destitute as well as orphaned and vulnerable children.
The Government also disbursed $170 million to support people with disabilities and the elderly.
“As at 13 December, 2021, the BEAM programme had reached out to 1 163 738 vulnerable children with educational assistance through support by both Government and development partners against a possible threshold of 1 500 000 children targeted for 2021,” Prof Mavima said.
“Going into 2022, about 1,5 million learners are being targeted by Government to receive a full education package support encompassing tuition fees, uniforms and stationery.”
He said the Government will this year assist households on the BEAM to establish income-generating programmes.
“In addition, 2,6 million individuals have benefited under the Urban Social Assistance Programme with 8 910,17t of grain having been distributed to 1,443 million individuals in the targeted food poor districts across the country.”
Under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the Government seeks to reduce extreme poverty and increase the proportion of the population with access to social care and support services from 15 percent in 2020 to 75 percent by 2025.
