JRS in Zambia

Refugees in Zambia

Refugee Problems

Meheba

Nangweshi

Northern

Peace Centre

Policy

Nangweshi

Prosthesis Workshop

Polio Victim

Sr. Nora with children

Help with the homework

Income Generation

Nangweshi Camp

Nangweshi Refugee Camp is located on the Western Bank of the Zambezi River in the western province of Zambia. It is 175 km. from the border with Angola. The camp was first established in January 2000 to host refugees fleeing the fighting in the southeastern part of Angola. The camp was designed for 15,000 but the population increased to 25,000 as people fled a Government offensive that resulted in the death of Jonas Savimbi in February 2002.

The new caseload placed a strain on resources designed for 15,000 refugees and impacted negatively on health, education, water, sanitation, and the environment. Teachers had to cope with 50 or 60 students instead of the normal 30. Women and children queued for long hours at the grinding mills and water collection points. The health service was overburdened resulting in high rates of malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoeal diseases and chest infections.

The refugees in Nangweshi are exclusively Angolan. The entire population of 25,377 is dependent on World Food Programme rations. From November 2001 until July 2002, rations were reduced by 50% making life very precarious especially for the new arrivals whose health status was already weakened after spending months in the bush.

JRS in Nangweshi

JRS commenced working in Nangweshi Refugee Camp in February 2000 as an implementing partner for UNHCR in Education and Community Services.

In May 2001, we relinquished responsibility for these services to CORD. Since then, JRS worked mainly with the handicapped in the camp. Nangweshi has one of the highest numbers of handicapped among the 3 camps housing Angolan Refugees in Zambia. This stems from the UNITA practice of caring for their former disabled fighters in special settlements. The present handicapped population includes 619 amputees, 109 with varying degrees of paralysis, 27 with Hansen’s disease, and 41 blind.

In the year 2002, JRS continued make and repair prosthesis for the new caseload as well as assisting the old caseload. JRS responded positively to a refugee request for a permanent Centre for physiotherapy instead of offering services to the clients in their homes. This resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of children requiring treatment.

In order to promote a perspective of peace and reconciliation, JRS offered a class on Forgiveness providing the participants a safe environment to look at the trauma and losses they have suffered. A sewing class offered 8 handicapped women the opportunity to learn a skill, designed to make them self-sufficient. English, Braille, and Portuguese classes were taught at the Centre, as well as English classes in the Community. JRS became involved in the life of the Catholic Community through outreach to a group of people who attended Religion and English classes.

UNHCR and the Zambian government have agreed upon an extension for the new caseload. The first transfer of 70 families began November 6, 2002. It is envisaged that the relocation will take approximately 2 months. Implementing partners are putting structures, and programmes in place to continue to care for the refugees. JRS has completed a prosthesis workshop, a physiotherapy building, a sewing class and an office to continue supporting the handicapped that will move to the extension. As soon as the beneficiaries complete their own residences, JRS will implement the programmes.