Country Facts:
- Capital city – Lusaka
- Population – 17.35 million
- Life expectancy – 52.5 years
- Unemployment rate – 15.1%
- Below poverty line – 64%
Habitat Facts
- Habitat started in Zambia in 1984
- Individuals served in FY2019 – 9,410
- Through new construction – 315
- Through incremental building – 9,095
- Volunteers hosted in FY2019 – 427
The housing need in Zambia
Zambia is one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s most urbanized countries. The rural-urban migration is quite significant with the urbanization rate of change (4.35%) above the population growth rate (2.93%). The population distribution shows a high density in the central areas, particularly along the line of rail and mainly in Lusaka, Ndola, Kabwe and Mufulira, according to World Factbook 2017.
The national housing deficit stands at 2.8 million units and is projected to double by 2025, according to UN-Habitat. Due to the lack of affordable housing, about 70% of urban dwellers live in unplanned settlements with inadequate access to safe and clean water, sanitation, hygiene and extension facilities. Zambia’s existing housing stock is estimated at 2.5 million units.
How Habitat addresses the need
Orphans and vulnerable groups housing
This program helps orphans and vulnerable groups attain adequate, affordable and decent housing. There are an estimated 1.4 million orphans under the age of 15 in Zambia, according to UNICE. Each family in the program receives training in child care, basic house maintenance, succession planning and will writing, and HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention and care.
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Access to water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH, in Zambia is still low. About 40% of the population have no access to safe water and 70% lack access to sanitation. Our program is meant to contribute to improved health and well-being of individuals through increased access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. In the past six years, 30,250 individuals have been aided through WASH projects.
Advocacy
Habitat Zambia aims to increase awareness of land right issues at both community and national levels. The main focus is in building community members’ capacity in advocacy skills in order for them to be self-reliant, mobile and claim their rights to effect change. Habitat Zambia also engages change agents and study circles to spearhead mobilization and awareness on land and housing rights, using what is known as the “Fit for Purpose” land administration tools.
Savings and financial literacy
This program raises awareness of financial risks and opportunities and builds the capacities of communities to make informed choices for effective financial well-being and improving their own living conditions. Habitat Zambia facilitates linkages with various financial institutions. Research shows that financial literacy and formation of saving groups, particularly among low-income households, is the lifeline of community wealth creation.
Volunteer engagement
We serve as a leading voice in growing awareness of housing as a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty by mobilizing volunteers as hearts, hands and voices for the cause of adequate, affordable housing. Volunteers have the privilege to be part of the ongoing program of work, which has a clear vision to achieve long-term, sustainable development and build capacity of a community, as opposed to dependency.
What you can do
DONATE
Go to habitat.org/donate and designate your gift to Habitat Zambia.
VOLUNTEER
Join one of the scheduled Global Village trips to Zambia or lead your own.
TITHE
To support the work of Habitat Zambia, please send your tithe to: Habitat for Humanity International P.O Box 6598 Americus, GA 31709-3498
CONTACT
Mathabo Makuta
national director
website: www.habitatforhumanityzambia.org
