LDF releases MK660m for public works programmes
The World Bank funded Malawi’s Local Development Fund (LDF) has released to City and Local Councils in Malawi MK660 million for the implementation of the 2011/12 Public Works Programme.
The Public Works Programme is intended in part to transfer cash to poor households in country to help them redeem the subsidised farm inputs in order to improve their agricultural production, according to LDF’s Development and Communication Specialist HellenZalira.
Each beneficiary will earn MK2400 after working for 12 days per month.
But last year in some areas people who participated in the programme had problems in getting their payments from the local authorities either due to red tape or the money was misused.
In Mzuzu they demonstrated in order for them to get their money and in some areas they got their money late in the farming season.
A total of 220,000 people across the country are expected to benefit with Mangochi district topping the list of beneficiaries with 12,404 and getting MK37, 213,355 and Thyolo second with 11,616 and received MK34,848,822.
Kasungu Municipality has 437 beneficiaries and received the lowest MK1,310,546.
Zalira said beneficiary household will have to participate in creating a community asset of their choice in order to benefit from funds.
“A combination of four factors have been used to calculate the resource allocation to each district and these are, population (50 percent), poor person below the poverty line (20 percent), population at risk of HIV and AIDS (20 percent) and food insecure household (10 percent)” she explained.
LDF was formerly called Malawi Social Action Fund (Masaf).
