THE Zanzibar’s Universal Social Pension scheme (ZUPS) has improved the lives of older people in Zanzibar and made a positive impact on their wider households, according to a new report released on Wednesday.

The Impact Evaluation of the Zanzibar Universal Pension Scheme delivers a positive assessment on how east Africa’s first ever universal pension scheme, which entitles all Zanzibari residents, aged 70 and over to a monthly social pension, has positively affected the lives of its recipients. Produced by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the Economic and the Social Research Foundation (ESRF) the report delivers a positive assessment of the impact the social pension is having on older people and their households in Zanzibar.

“The Zanzibar government should be congratulated for the impact this pioneering pension has had on the lives of its older citizens. This report provides clear evidence of an initiative which has helped deliver meaningful improvement to older people in Zanzibar,” said Smart Daniel, Country Director HelpAge International, and Tanzania.

The evaluation found that the secure income provided by the pension had a very positive effect on beneficiaries’ households, enabling them to increase their spending on food, health and education. Older people found it easy to register for the pension, and said the payments were timely and carried out efficiently.

“The evaluation reveals that the ZUPS has for the first time, granted a secure monthly income to its recipients which has enabled them to enjoy improved wellbeing,” said Florian Juergens, the global social protection advisor at HelpAge International.

Read more @All Africa