Government has assured Malawians that no person will die of hunger due to 44 percent devaluation and has outlined cushioning measures to give the citizens a breather amid the challenging times.
This was said during a press conference organised by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs at Bingu International Convention Centre on Monday.
The Minister, Simplex Chithyola, said among the measures, government will continue to implement cylone recovery intervention to 184,920 households to rural Malawians will receive K150, 000 in Phalombe, Thyolo, Blantyre, Chiladzulu, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Balaka, Mulanje and Zomba to help them with consumption needs against the effects of the alignment.
Government will reintroduce the price shock Urban Emergency Cash Transfer programme which will target 105,000 households where beneficiaries will receive K150, 000 for a period of three months in Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Blantyre and Zomba.
“Government will also increase Social Cash Transfer Benefit levels by 57 percent which is more than the exchange rate alignment amount. This is with immediate effect. This include Social Cash Transfer Beneficiaries coverage from current 10 percent to 15 percent of the population, from current 2 million to 3 million.
“These are just a few of the aspects of the Action Plan and measures to cushion the vulnerable, but I will make the other aspects known when I present government’s budget review statement to parliament next week,” said Chithyola.
Among other measures, Chithyola said government is also discussing with foreign governments on skilled labour export saying over 5000 skilled professionals are expected to be recruited under the programme where the country could significantly benefit in term of foreign currency remittances and diversification.
On Climate Smart Public Works Programme, the Minister said government has increased number of beneficiaries with immediate effect from current 362,450 to 520,000 country wide and extend the programme to all city councils and support participants with their consumption needs.
The Minister said government will immediately engage Civil Service Trade Union to review salaries in the public sector and determine how civil servants can be properly cushioned against the alignment.
By Leonard Masauli
