LUSAKA, July 3 (NNN-XINHUA) — The World Bank has approved a 207.6-million-U.S.-dollar grant to support Zambia’s response to drought, a senior government official said.
The money was the second additional funding for enhancing shock-responsive social protection in Zambia and will support about 1.6 million households under the social cash transfer program in 84 districts affected by drought.
Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambian minister of finance and national planning, thanked the World Bank for the funding, saying it will complement the government’s drought response plan by scaling up the social cash transfer program to help meet the shortfalls and ensure regular cash transfers.
According to the minister, the World Bank’s approval of the second additional funding will fortify existing social protection programs and mitigate the adverse effects of the drought the country has faced amid constrained domestic resources.
Following poor rains in the 2023/2024 farming season, Zambia has been hit by a drought that has impacted 84 out of the country’s 116 districts. — NNN-XINHUA
