Zambia: The District Commissioner of Sinda, David Tembo has warned the stakeholders against misuse of Cash for Work funds. The funds are aimed towards supporting the vulnerable communities who ar struggling after the affects of the drought disaster.
The members of the community have shared that the previous farming season had failed in the absence of adequate rain. The officials have shared that the members of the community are struggling with shortage of food.
Dr Tembo stated that officers who are custodians of the funds should ensure they follow the laid down procedures. The officials have warned that if any members of the team refuse to follow the rules will be penalized.
The government of Zambia has confirmed that the offenders may also face court penalties. He clarified that the works to be given to the eligible vulnerable beneficiaries must be community projects.
These projects cannot be any personal tasks belonging to individuals or leaders involved in the Cash for Work programme.
Dr Tembo stated that there will be transparency through collaboration between his office which chairs the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) and the Local Authority during the process of the Cash for Work Programme.
The DC stated that the Cash for Work Programme will be expedited to ensure that it is carried out with the urgency it deserves. The aim of the project is to help vulnerable community members afford basic needs as soon as possible.
The District Commissioner was speaking when he chaired the District Disaster Management Committee Meeting. The meeting was called with the purpose to identify beneficiaries for the programme.
During the meeting, the Commissioner announced that Sinda District has a target of 5,416 beneficiaries under Kapoche Constituency. The funding for the Cash for Work programme amounts to K541,619.12.
Meanwhile Sinda Constituency targets 3, 850 beneficiaries with funding amounting to K384, 978.52 where beneficiaries will receive a K60 per day for a total of K600 for 10 days work.
Meanwhile, the DDMC is scheduled to orient the lower organ of the Ward Development Committee (WDCs), before commencing the Cash for Work exercise.
The Emergency Fund is a Government initiative that has been created as a response to alleviate poverty in the Districts affected by the drought which has hit most households, barely meeting basic needs.