Enhancing Education and Livelihoods of Refugees and Their Host Communities in Zambia
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project implementer: Caritas Czech Republic
Donor: Czech Development Agency and UNHCR
Implementation period: 2024-2026
BASELINE STATE
Zambia hosts over 93,000 refugees, most of whom are from the Democratic Republic of Congo and live in three settlements - Mayukwayukwa, Meheba and Mantapala - in remote areas with limited infrastructure. Therefore, the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population is crop and livestock production. Other sources of livelihood include petty trade (in staple foods, dried fish or caterpillars, vegetables or baked goods) and services (barber and hairdressing, tailoring, metalwork or carpentry). Although the Zambian government has been very welcoming to refugees for a long time, there are still laws that restrict their free movement and access to work and business. 92% of the settlement population lives below the poverty line. This project focuses on the development of honey, vegetable and fish value chains, with an emphasis on product processing and market linkages to increase self-sufficiency for refugees and host communities.
PROJECT AIM AND DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS
To contribute to increasing productivity and income of refugee and host community farmers, especially women and youth, through the promoting diversified, climate-smart and market-oriented value chains in Mayukwayukwa and Mantapala Refugee Settlements, Zambia.
ROLE OF HOLISTIC SOLUTIONS S.R.O. IN THE PROJECT
In 2024, the HS team conducted a field visit to Mayukwayukwa to conduct a field survey of hydrogeological conditions. During the site visit, 41 points were documented, mostly actively used drilled and dug wells, artificial reservoirs for fish farming, irrigation systems and other hydrological features. In addition, sites with water pumping facilities and irrigation systems were inspected. Based on the field findings, a study was developed with recommendations for appropriate sustainable solutions for aquaculture and irrigation systems.
For Mantapala, the HS team created a technical report in 2024 on suitable irrigation systems.
The HS team also developed a training manual on organic production of eight selected species (potatoes, onions, green peppers, garden eggplant (Impwa), tomatoes, ginger, rapeseed, and cabbage) and recommendations on irrigation systems suitable for sustainable vegetable production considering the local climate. In addition, it offers guidance on organic growing methods for these crops, together with comprehensive information on how to organically increase nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients, as well as pest management methods.