MINISTRY of Information and Media Director Spokesperson Henry Kapata has revealed that over 2.5 million vulnerable people benefitted from various Social Protection interventions by the government last year. 

Mr Kapata has noted that the government is committed to safeguarding the livelihoods of the vulnerable especially in times of disaster such as the drought which affected food security in the country.

He has added that this is evident from the introduction of the Cash for Work programme which has cushioned the drought-induced food insecurity, among the vulnerable. 

Mr Kapata said this during a Media Breakfast Engagement hosted by his Ministry in Lusaka today. 

Meanwhile, Mr Kapata has also highlighted other achievements scored by the government in the year 2024. 

He said in the health sector, government has completed constructing 279 health facilities across the country out of which 164 were completed using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

“These facilities include 115 mini hospitals, 33 health centres and 131 health posts,” he explained.

Mr Kapata further disclosed that in the agriculture sector, government has plans to construct 5 new dams various districts namely, Chinkhombe in Katete, Kashambana in Nkeyema, Mulemba in Kalomo, Namakala in Mulobezi, and Pemba dam in Pemba.

He explained that the move is part of the comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme, launched by the government last year whose objective is to increase food security. 

“The Programme has seven main components, namely, irrigation, mechanisation financing, farm blocks, extension services, input support, Agro-processing, and infrastructure development. The objective is to increase food security,” he emphasised.