LocationsFor Immediate Release
Hosted by Her Honour Mutale Nalumango, JICA Zambia and UNDP Zambia signed a grant agreement with to enhance infrastructure and economic opportunities for displaced persons and host communities in Meheba & Mayukwayukwa.
Image captured by: Vanessa Wematu Akibate/UNDP Zambia
29th JANUARY 2025, LUSAKA — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Government of Zambia, have launched a three-year transformative project to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of displaced persons and their host communities in two resettlement schemes of Meheba and Mayukwayukwa for JPY841,000,000. The signing ceremony for the Development of Basic Infrastructure in Settlements for the Displaced Persons and their Host Communities project held at the Office of the Vice President with several key stakeholders in attendance, was signed off by His Excellency Mr. Takeuchi Kazuyuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Jotaro Tateyama, JICA Zambia Country Representative ,and Mr. James Wakiaga, Resident Representative, UNDP Zambia.
Supported by a generous grant from the Government of Japan and aligned with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the project focuses on two core objectives:
- Improving livelihoods by fostering inclusive economic opportunities.
- Enhancing access to critical social services, including healthcare, education, and safe water.
The project, scheduled to run from 2025 to 2027, targets the Mayukwayukwa Resettlement Scheme in Kaoma District and the Meheba Resettlement Scheme in Kalumbila District, addressing urgent needs for forcibly displaced persons and their host communities while promoting long-term sustainability within the two areas.
The signing ceremony was graced by Her Honour, the Vice President of Zambia, Ms. Mutale Nalumango, His Excellency Mr. Takeuchi Kazuyuki, Ambassador of Japan to Zambia, Mr. James Wakiaga, UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Mavis Nkomeshya, Permanent Secretary for the Resettlement Division under the Office of the Vice President, and Mr. Jotaro Tateyama, JICA Zambia Country Representative, signifying a strong and concerted front towards Zambia’s sustained development.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Her Honour Mutale Nalumango, expressed gratitude for the support provided and reaffirmed the Government of Zambia's dedication to fully implementing the project and expressed her optimism for the project’s potential, stating, “This project is a great milestone in the right direction and a testament to the commitment of Japan and the UNDP to Zambia development."
In his remarks, His Excellency Mr. Takeuchi Kazuyuki officially presented the generous grant from the Government of Japan to the Government of Zambia. He emphasized Japan's commitment to supporting Zambia's humanitarian and development efforts, stating, "With this initiative, we aim at easing pressure on host communities and also enhancing self-reliance for displaced persons here in Zambia as well."
Japan will continue working towards the betterment of displaced persons and host communities and ensuring that they are self-sustaining and live in prosperity and peace, in collaboration with the Government of Zambia and international organisations such as UNDP.— His Excellency Mr. Takeuchi Kazuyuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Zambia
The JICA Country Representative Mr. Jotaro Tateyama expressed that JICA is honored to collaborate with UNDP and the Government of Zambia in advancing sustainable solutions for displaced persons and their host communities. He indicated that "Together, we can work towards the wellbeing of persons of concern, while supporting the Zambian government in becoming a beacon of hope for hosting refugees and former refugees."
UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. James Wakiaga, expressed deep appreciation for the enduring partnership UNDP shared with the Governments of Japan and Zambia, and underscored the importance of this partnership, saying, “This project will strengthen the social, economic, and environmental fabric of affected communities while also serving as a legacy of the partnership between Zambia, Japan, and UNDP as it will enhance access to essential services much needed for livelihood and community wellbeing.”
In the previous Five (5) years the Government of Japan has provided support through UNDP to Meheba and Mayukwayukwa Resettlement Schemes, which was able to deliver significantly improved infrastructure by constructing roads, staff housing, and providing economic empowerment trainings for small-scale farmers and vocational programs for youths in the two resettlement schemes, leading to over 95% of beneficiaries experiencing greater financial stability. Additionally, healthcare delivery and food security were strengthened, while social cohesion was fostered through community dialogue platforms promoting inclusion and reducing tensions.
As implementation of the new project begins in partnership with the Resettlement Division, in close collaboration with JICA Zambia, UNDP reaffirms its dedication to transparency, accountability, and delivering sustainable outcomes that will benefit communities for generations.
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For more information and media interviews, contact:
Mwangana Amukena, Project Manager, UNDP Zambia, mwangana.amukena@undp.org
Mercy Khozi, Communications Analyst, UNDP Zambia, mercy.khozi@undp.org, +260211386200
Mwaba Mumba-Chisala, Senior Program Officer – Peace building , Water, Environment & Training Sectors, JICA Zambia, mwabaMumba.ZB@jica.go.jp
Lilian Nanyangwe, Public Relations Officer/Administrative Assistant, JICA Zambia, nanyangwe-Lilian@jica.go.jp
