The World Bank board of Directors has approved 155 million US dollars in International Development Assistance (IDA) for Social Cash Transfer.
The funds are meant to help cushion in the shocks in the face of rising fuel, food and fertiliser prices. Visiting World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Central Africa Victoria Kwakwa says the board has further approved a 27 million dollars credit facility to Zambia.
And, Dr Kwakwa has urged the Zambian government not to relent in its efforts to develop programs that uplift the living standards of the most vulnerable people in the country.
She says her organisation is happy with the commitment shown by the New Dawn government to enhance living standards of ordinary Zambians.
She said this in Shibuyunji District when she visited Nampundwe Secondary School which is implementing the World Bank funded Girls Education Women Empowerment and Livelihood-GEWEL-project in the company of Education Minister Douglas Syakalima and Community development Minister Doreen Mwamba.
Dr Kwakwa said there is good will on the part of cooperating partners to help government realise its vision of poverty reduction as both parties have shown a genuine desire to change the lives of people for the better.
She said she is encouraged by the success of the project which has seen an increase in girl childhood enrollment in school and enhanced number of women accessing empowerment funds.
At the same occasion, Mr Syakalima appealed to the World Bank to help fund the construction of schools with boarding facilities to help reduce the number of girls falling pregnant especially in rural areas.
And Ms Mwamba said analysis of data of both the Keeping in Girls School and the women empowerment components of the GEWEL Project shows that the two programs are being implemented successfully.
And, Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Margaret Tembo said the GEWEL Project has helped uplift the living standards of most vulnerable women in the area. – ZNBC
