• Adding another category of beneficiaries will mean scaling-up of the program.
• This will help address the high levels of vulnerability currently being experienced by some members of society.
• Evidence indicates that social cash transfer has played a significant role in improving household incomes

Policy Monitoring and Research Centre (PMRC) says government’s plans to add another category of Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries will help address the high vulnerability levels currently being experienced by some members of society.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Organization Acting Executive Director Sydney Mwamba commended government for the gesture, saying adding another category of beneficiaries will mean scaling-up of the program.
Mr. Mwamba noted that evidence indicates that social cash transfer has played a significant role in improving household incomes thereby improving the quality of life and reducing household poverty.
He also said the trickle-down effects of the economic benefits of the program have improved the local economy of communities since beneficiaries have increased buying power.
“The program has been commonly linked to well-being outcomes such as improved nutrition, improved resilience to economic shocks, and management of illness, improved school enrolment and mental health among beneficiary households,” Mr. Mwamba said.
Similarly, the trickle-down effects of the economic benefits of the program have improved the local economy of communities since beneficiaries have increased buying power.
Mr. Mwamba further stated that the Social Cash Transfer is a flagship program whose aim is to reduce vulnerability for the targeted beneficiaries from extreme poverty.
“The impact of the program has been immense leading to an improvement in all socio-economic indicators: schooling, health, general well-being, possession of shoes and blankets, and the regularity of meals as well as increased assets and diversification of income generating activities.”
Therefore, adding another category of beneficiaries will mean scaling-up of the program which will help address the high levels of vulnerability currently being experienced by some members of society,” he stated.
Recently, Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba disclosed that Government is discussing with partners and other stakeholders to consider adding another category for Social Cash Transfer program.
Currently, female headed households, child headed households, severely disabled, the old and those who are chronically ill and on palative care, are the five categories that are eligible to be on the program.