The Department of Social Welfare, with support from the World Bank, today conducted a stakeholders’ engagement meeting aimed at advancing the development of Zambia’s National Social Register (NSR).
The meeting brought together key stakeholders involved in social protection programmes to discuss progress and strategies for identifying and registering vulnerable households across the country.
During the engagement, various institutions made presentations on the beneficiary recruitment methods they are currently using within their respective systems. The discussions focused on harmonising data collection processes to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s agenda of establishing a comprehensive National Social Register.
Speaking during the meeting, participants highlighted the importance of a unified social registry in improving the targeting and delivery of social assistance programmes.
The World Bank reaffirmed its support towards the initiative, noting that the National Social Register will serve as a central database for vulnerable and disadvantaged households.
Once fully established, the register will enable Government and its partners to identify vulnerable beneficiaries in advance, ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need in a timely and efficient manner, particularly during emergencies and social protection interventions.
The stakeholders’ engagement meeting marks another important step towards strengthening Zambia’s social protection system and improving the welfare of vulnerable citizens through data-driven planning and service delivery.
