By Burnett Munthali
The Multi-Donor Trust Fund has expressed satisfaction with progress made under livelihoods support interventions in Phalombe District.
The Chairperson of the Social Protection and Multi-Donor Trust Fund, Arnold Chikavanga, made the remarks on Wednesday.
He spoke after touring project sites and interacting with beneficiaries.
The delegation was accompanied by district council officials during the visit.
They visited the Thuchira Catchment area to appreciate achievements registered under the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme.
CSEPWP falls under the broader Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project.
Chikavanga said he was satisfied after witnessing progress in tree conservation at the site.
He also noted strong women’s participation in income-generating activities at Thuchira Catchment.
“This mission is very significant to us because it has allowed us to engage with district council authorities and project participants,” he said.
“It has also helped us understand their challenges, and provide recommendations to improve implementation in the remaining six months,” said Chikavanga.
He said the mission observed several positive results under the CSEPWP.
He highlighted gains in promoting women’s economic empowerment.
He also pointed to strengthened livelihoods at the community level.
Phalombe District Commissioner, Yobu Makina Gama, welcomed the visit.
He expressed gratitude and satisfaction with the commitment shown by communities in Traditional Authority Kaledzera towards reforestation.
“I am extremely grateful for the support under climate-smart interventions from the government and our donors,” said Makina.
“I am also impressed that communities are taking this project seriously by replanting trees that were cut down,” he said.
He said communities are encouraging one another to take care of the trees.
Makina said households are already benefiting from the programme.
He cited livelihood activities such as beekeeping and honey harvesting.
He said these activities are helping households generate income while conserving natural resources.
“As Phalombe District, we are pleased that our people have acquired skills in different economic activities,” he said.
“We believe they will continue maintaining this spirit going forward,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Peter Naitha, described the impact on families.
He said the CSEPWP has transformed the lives of many families in the area.
He said this has happened through income-generating activities and improved environmental conservation practices.
“The project has helped us start businesses and improve our livelihoods,” said Naitha.
“People are now showing seriousness in taking care of trees because they understand the benefits of conserving the environment,” he said.
The Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme is a national social protection initiative.
It is funded by the World Bank and multi-donor trust funds.
The programme is part of the government’s broader Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project.
SSRLP aims to lift extremely poor households out of food insecurity.
It does this by providing temporary wage income while creating durable, community-maintained assets.
These assets are designed to mitigate climate shocks such as droughts and floods.
