At least 4,099 households in Chadiza District of Eastern Province are earmarked to benefit from the Rapid Emergency Response programme. 

The Programme comes as a quick response by government to help the vulnerable groups following the dry spell that the country experienced.

Chadiza District Social Officer Linda Kangwa says following the dry spell, a number of households are facing hunger therefore calling for quick interventions. 

Speaking when she paid a courtesy call at Chief Mlolo’s palace , Mrs. Kangwa explained that this was the reason behind government coming up with a programme that will reduce the burden and help with some money for the public members to buy food.

“This programme is done in all the 116 District countrywide in a bid to help the vulnerable groups, “she said.

She said that for some vulnerable groups that are targeted includes households led by old people, lame, sick, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and women led.

And Taonga Banda, Assistant Social Warfare Officer, said that the sensitization programme will start this week.

“There is a difference with our past programme as we used to take a lot of time serving the beneficiaries but on this one, as work with various stakeholders, we will immediately sensitize the public and go to their homes for them to be added on the list,” he clarified. 

And the District Commissioner Malan Zimba said that the programme will immediately start as there is no time to waste.

Mr. Zimba said that those already on social cash transfer are already covered but that government will increase the amount of money they get.

“Currently we do not know how much government will increase on those already on social Cash Transfer but there is an increment to the existing money they receive,” he said.

In response, Chief Mlolo is happy of government’s programme saying many will benefit. 

He has however emphasised on the need to effectively communicate and sensitize the public to be fully aware and avoid speculations that might not work for the good of the programme. 

Chief Mlolo said due to high numbers of illiteracy in the district, clear and simple information need to be carefully shared for many to understand. 

Zambia currently is facing a critical emergency due to a severe dry spell triggered by the El Niño effect, profoundly affecting agriculture and household food security across 84 districts and over six million people currently at risk.

To this effect a national disaster declared by President Hakainde Hichilema, underscoring the broader vulnerability of our nation to various shocks. Further, an Inter-sectoral steering committee was established by Cabinet which led to the Rapid emergency response action country wide.