The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, has reaffirmed its longstanding working relationship with UNICEF, in its quest to reduce poverty and vulnerability in the country.
Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba who has described UNICEF as ‘an all weather friend’ has noted the need to ensure that the prevailing predictability, efficiency and consistency of various social protection programmes continues for the benefit of the vulnerable in society through continued collaboration on many social protection programmes.
Speaking when UNICEF Regional Director, Mr Mohamed Fall, paid a courtesy call on her, Ms. Mwamba appreciated that the technical and financial support from UNICEF has been instrumental in making the Ministry’s objectives easier, and has since resulted in more people accessing social protection programmes.
She highlighted the 1000 days Social Cash Transfer Nutrition Programme which the Ministry through UNICEF support has been implementing in four districts aimed at improving nutrition status targeting households with children aged 0-24 months as well as expectant mothers.
“The Ministry acknowledges with thanks the support recieved towards the development of the Early Childhood Development hubs in Chongwe which were recently handed over to government to promote students and timely nurturing care interventions for children and caregivers in the community” Ms. Mwamba said.
And Mr. Fall said there is need to see how social protection can go beyond to offer solutions to nutritional, educational and medical needs for children in order to promote good health.
He said the Ministry is playing a commendable role to end poverty, and therefore called for more support considering the prevailing good political will.
“50 million people have been pushed below the poverty line, and that requires more effort to address extreme poverty and inequality” Mr. Fall observed.
