A Call for Sustainable Action

... Civil society leaders and policymakers stress the urgent need for stronger social accountability, sustainable poverty reduction strategies, and inclusive development to tackle Zambia’s deepening poverty crisis.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 - (November 21, 2024) - A consortium of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has called for stronger social accountability to address the persistent poverty affecting nearly half of Zambia's population.

Isabel Mukelebai, Executive Director of the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), stated that Zambia's poverty rate remains alarmingly high at 60%, despite ongoing government efforts to address it.

Mukelebai noted that poverty is particularly severe in rural areas, where economic opportunities are scarce.

Speaking at the National Poverty and Social Protection Dialogue Meeting, held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre on Thursday, Mukelebai highlighted that child malnutrition is a critical concern, with 42.5% of children under five suffering from stunting.

“This issue is linked to poverty, poor access to nutrition, and inadequate healthcare,” she explained.

The event, marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, was held in partnership with Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid, who continue to support poverty reduction initiatives.

Mukelebai stressed that short-term relief efforts are insufficient for addressing the root causes of poverty.

“Long-term, sustainable strategies are necessary for lasting change,” she emphasized. Although Zambia's Seventh National Development Plan has made some progress, poverty reduction remains uneven, with Lusaka seeing an increase in poverty while other provinces have seen modest improvements.

Gender disparities persist, as female-headed households are disproportionately affected by poverty.

Mukelebai urged the government to prioritize policies that address regional disparities, empower women, and consider the impacts of climate change on rural farming communities in the upcoming Eighth National Development Plan. 

She said, “CSPR advocates for more inclusive and sustainable poverty reduction strategies to meet the needs of all Zambians.”

She further remarked, “Although efforts have been made, the poverty rate has remained persistently high, with the majority of the population in rural areas facing even more challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of healthcare, and limited access to education.”

 Mukelebai argued that these issues compound the situation, particularly in marginalized communities, making it harder to break the cycle of poverty.

The call for stronger social accountability focuses on ensuring that government resources and policies are more effectively directed toward the most vulnerable groups.

 “This will require a greater emphasis on transparency, citizen participation, and proper monitoring mechanisms to ensure that aid reaches those who need it the most,” Mukelebai added.

Edward Musosa, a representative from the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), called for increased investment in social protection programs to address Zambia’s growing poverty. 

Speaking when he presented a paper at the same occasion, Musosa highlighted the vulnerability of households, especially in rural areas, where limited resources and severe drought conditions exacerbate poverty. 

He said, “In many rural areas, families are deeply affected by droughts and low income, which limits their access to essential services.”

The ongoing drought has worsened food insecurity and income generation, making it urgent to scale up social protection programs for the most vulnerable. 

“Poverty disproportionately impacts female-headed households,” Musosa noted, stressing the need to address this inequality in order to make significant progress in poverty reduction. 

Despite the government's efforts, including emergency cash transfers and social insurance schemes, Musosa pointed out that implementation challenges remain. 

“While these efforts are commendable, targeting issues persist. 

In some areas, individuals who should not be beneficiaries are receiving support, while others who need it are left out,” he said. He called for greater transparency and accountability in the distribution of social assistance.

He also acknowledged the financial constraints faced by the government, which must balance debt servicing with investments in vital sectors like education, health, and social protection. 

“Managing debt is important, but it cannot come at the expense of social welfare programs,” Musosa added. 

He called for a stronger legal and financial framework to sustain social protection programs and ensure they benefit those most in need.

Additionally, Joseph Timbo, Assistant Director for Economic and Financial Services at the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZSA), observed that Zambia is grappling with the severe economic impact of a prolonged drought, which has affected agriculture, water supply, and energy production. 

As food supplies dwindle, livestock losses rise, and economic hardship deepens, experts are urging urgent, long-term action.

Timbo explained that the drought has severely impacted the agriculture sector, which contributes 20% to Zambia's GDP.

 “Livestock losses, particularly in the beef sector, have driven up prices, making food less affordable for many families,” he said.

 The drought has also led to widespread water shortages, contributing to malnutrition and diet-related health issues.

 “Without access to water and food, many households cannot afford balanced diets, increasing health risks,” he noted.

He was of the view that in urban areas like Lusaka, population pressure from rural-to-urban migration has strained infrastructure and resources, exacerbating competition for food and water. 

The informal sector, including small businesses that rely on electricity, has also suffered from extended power outages. “Many businesses are unable to operate efficiently, reducing household incomes,” Timbo added.

In response, the government has distributed generators to mitigate power shortages. Timbo stressed that a data-driven approach is needed to ensure long-term recovery.

 “Accurate data informs policy decisions that can help us recover and build resilience,” he said.

On the other hand, Mildred Kaambwa, representing the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), outlined the government’s response strategy, focusing on six key areas: food security, water access, energy supply, public health, and long-term resilience.

To combat food shortages, Kaambwa revealed that the government has distributed 41,435 metric tons of relief maize, with over 96% of the planned distribution completed. 

Additionally, 201,482 metric tons of maize have been sold by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), and cash transfers have reached 2.2 million vulnerable households. 

The government has rehabilitated 146 dams and is constructing 16 new ones. Progress ranges from 20% to 97%, with an additional 101 boreholes drilled across five provinces to improve water access.

To address the drought’s impact on hydropower, Zambia imports 512 megawatts of electricity daily from the Southern African Power Pool and is promoting solar energy solutions. Over 100,000 solar water heaters are being installed.

Health services have been scaled up to combat malnutrition, with over six million children screened and 48,590 cases of malnutrition treated. 

The government has also imported 99,782 metric tons of maize from Tanzania to stabilize food supplies.

Kaambwa called for collective action, stating, “While prayer sustains us, decisive action is needed to ensure food security and protect livelihoods.” 

She further noted that Zambia’s response demonstrates a commitment to mitigating climate change’s effects. 

However, she emphasized that long-term strategies remain critical for building resilience and securing a sustainable future.

Fr. Boyd Nyirenda, Acting JCTR’s Executive Director, also called for stronger social accountability and governance frameworks to combat persistent poverty, which affe8cts over half of Zambia’s population. 

He emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address the root causes of poverty. “Approximately 60% of Zambians live in poverty, with nearly 48% experiencing extreme deprivation,” Nyirenda said. 

He added that 70% of children face multi-dimensional deprivation, particularly in rural areas, worsened by the lack of access to essential services like education, healthcare, and sanitation.

Fr. Nyirenda noted that the ongoing drought and rising living costs have further strained food security and called for expanded emergency relief and social protection programs. 

“Poor governance and misuse of resources hinder our poverty eradication efforts. Social inequalities worsen without meaningful citizen participation and accountability,” he stated.

He urged participants to adopt a people-centered approach to poverty reduction and emphasized the need to strengthen social accountability, improve governance, and promote inclusive economic development.

Hon. Christopher Kalila, MP for Lukulu East, echoed the importance of collaboration between the government and civil society in addressing poverty. 

He emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling social inequalities through improved social protection measures.

Social Protection and Legal Frameworks

Hon. Kalila also raised concerns over the lack of legal protection for Zambia’s social protection programs, including the social cash transfer initiative. 

As chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Community Development, and Social Services, Kalila stressed the need for a legal framework to ensure the sustainability of these programs. 

“A law would guarantee their continuation and safeguard the welfare of vulnerable groups,” he said.

While the social cash transfer program has made progress, many eligible citizens, especially in rural and drought-affected areas, still do not benefit. 

Kalila emphasized the need for evidence-based decision-making, urging civil society organizations to provide data to help lawmakers advocate for policy improvements.

 The call for a legal framework has gained support, with Kalila and other committee members pushing for the swift passage of the Social Protection Bill.