JRS in Zambia

Refugees in Zambia

Refugee Problems

Meheba

Nangweshi

Northern

Peace Centre

Policy

Refugee Market

Rwandan Refugees

Refugee Problems

Life is not easy for refugees in Zambia. Though the country provides them safety and, in the case of the settlements, also some land, Zambia has not many other material resources to share with those who come here fleeing war or persecution. That is the responsibility of the international community through the United Nations System and the Non-Governmental Organizations.

The international community seems to be withdrawing their help to African refugees. During the year 2002, lack of donations for the around 90,000 refugees that depend on food aid, forced the World Food Program to half the rations for several months. The standard ration of 2,100 kcal per person per day was thus reduced to 1,000 kcal. Increase in malnutrition, child mortality and eventually some riots followed.

The access to basic services such as education and health is also a handicap for refugees. Again, as conditions in these matters are hard for Zambian citizens, it is little what the Zambian State can share. Every shortcoming in the funds received by international agencies, mainly UNHCR, has sad consequences for the possibilities of the refugees to rebuild their lives in normality, even to live at all.

For those who come from cities and towns in their countries of origin, rebuilding life in urban areas is not an easy task either. Along with the poverty that Zambians in urban compounds also suffer, refugees have to endure an increasing xenophobic climate and legal restrictions to their freedom of movement and work.