A senior US official has pledged his government's commitment to continue helping Zambia in her poverty alleviation efforts, the Times of Zambia reported on Saturday.

US Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth said his government will continue providing grants to poor but viable groups as a way of effectively fighting the high levels of poverty in the southern African country.

The US envoy, however, said in Lusaka during the signing ceremony of US$65, 000 Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund with seven community organizations that there is need for groups that receive such grants to be accountable in the manner the funds are utilized.

According to Booth, the grants were part of his government's commitment to support Zambian-driven development activities that empower people at the grassroots.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2009)