Assessing the Effectiveness of Social Cash Transfer Programs (SCTPs) in Building Long-Term Resilience in Masaiti District, Zambia

This study examined the role of Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACs) in the implementation of social protection programmes in Masaiti District, Zambia. Guided by the objectives of assessing household welfare outcomes, evaluating perceptions of CWAC effectiveness, analysing institutional support, and identifying implementation challenges, the research employed a mixed methods design. Data were collected from 120 households through structured surveys, 17 CWAC members via focus group discussions, and 11 key informants from government and non governmental institutions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically coded and triangulated to enhance validity.
The findings revealed that while social protection interventions such as the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) have improved access to education and health services, households continue to face persistent vulnerabilities, including reliance on subsistence farming, chronic food insecurity, and barriers to effective service utilization. Perceptions of CWAC effectiveness were mixed: households valued their role but expressed concerns about fairness, timeliness, and transparency; CWAC members emphasized their commitment but acknowledged resource and training gaps; and institutions affirmed their centrality while stressing the need for stronger accountability and capacity building. Institutional support from government and NGOs was found to be irregular, fragmented, and poorly coordinated, reflecting a gap between policy commitments and practice. Cross cutting challenges included inadequate resources, bureaucratic delays, weak institutional linkages, and community mistrust.
The study concludes that CWACs are indispensable grassroots actors in Zambia’s social protection system, but their effectiveness is constrained by systemic underinvestment and governance gaps. It recommends increased resource allocation, regular training, stronger accountability mechanisms, and improved coordination between government, NGOs, and community structures. By centring the perspectives of households, CWAC members, and institutions, the study contributes to both academic debates and policy discussions on community based social protection. It underscores the need to balance community ownership with institutional support to ensure that social protection programmes are inclusive, transparent, and sustainable.