DWS Country Programs
Zambia
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Refugee girl pounding yams. |
The peaceful situation in neighboring Angola during 2003 and 2004 has accelerated the voluntary repatriation of Angolan refugees who have been hosted in Zambia. At the same time, more refugees have arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Hosting refugees is an enormous challenge for a very poor country where 80 percent of the people live below the poverty line.
The LWF/DWS Zambia program, known as Zambia Christian Refugee Service (ZCRS), started in 1967 and focuses on refugee care and resettlement, empowerment of the disadvantaged and marginalized, and support for sustainable development. ZCRS is the lead implementing partner of UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) in three Zambian provinces, and is responsible for food distribution to new refugee arrivals and vulnerable persons on behalf of WFP (UN World Food Programme).
Refugee Project
ZCRS is responsible for the delivery of services to three settlements of refugees coming mainly from Angola with smaller numbers from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. The project provides basic services, including water and sanitation, health and nutrition, food distribution and community schools. An integrated approach includes an emphasis on agriculture, environmental protection and HIV/AIDS. In cooperation with the Zambian government and UNHCR, ZCRS is also responsible for the reception and transportation of new arrivals, and supports the process of repatriation of refugees.
Rural Community Development and Motivation (RCDM)
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Tree nursery. |
The RCDM project in the Eastern Province aims to empower the rural community to organize themselves into groups that actively participate in activities targeted at improving living conditions. Using an integrated approach, activities focus on community development skills, income generation, human rights and gender, environmental protection and rehabilitation, construction of self-help schools and health centers, family planning and HIV/AIDS awareness and sustainable development.
Food for Asset Creation (FFAC)
Apart from distribution of food to the most vulnerable, the ZCRS program also addresses the overall issue of food security. In partnership with WFP, the FFAC project has long-term objectives to alleviate hunger and malnutrition and to equip participants with necessary assets to enhance food security in the rural areas.
For more information please contact:
Program Officer Mr Duane Poppe.
Local representative
Rev. Enos Moyo, Representative.
