UN Commends Partners for Sustainable Resettlement Programme in Zambia

March 26, 2020

UN Resident Coordinator for Zambia, Dr Coumba Mar Gadio delivering her remarks during the SPAG Meeting, 2020

The United Nations, Resident Coordinator (RC), Dr. Coumba Mar Gadio has expressed gratitude to government and cooperating partners for the support that has been rendered in the implementation of the Promoting Human Security Through Sustainable Resettlement Programme in Zambia.

Speaking during the Strategic Policy and Advisory Group (SPAG) on the Promoting Human Security Through Sustainable Resettlement Programme in Zambia, Dr. Gadio also expressed her gratitude to the group for its continued support, which has led to the building of a common vision for solutions of displacement in Zambia. Specifically, Dr. Coumba highlighted that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, Government and People of Japan, the United States, the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have been instrumental in for supporting activities that have been implemented under the Programme.

“I would particularly like to appreciate the generous contributions from the Government and People of Japan, which have greatly promoted the sustainable resettlement approach since inception, in 2017. We greatly value this important partnership.  In addition, we appreciate the continued technical assistance from JICA to advance the sustainable resettlement approach through the Department of Resettlement and welcome the start of their new project to complement existing efforts”.

And speaking at the same event, which led to the approval of the annual report and multi yearworkplan, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President, Stephen Mwansa commended both the financial and technical support that have been rendered to the Government of Zambia to facilitate for the implementation of the programme, which has contributed to establishing concrete steps towards offering sustainable durable solutions to former refugees from Angola and Rwanda.

The meeting, which was also attended by H.E. Mr. Ryuta Mizuuchi, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, recognized that through the leadership of government in partnership with six UN agencies since 2017, the Sustainable Resettlement Programme has proven to be an innovative Programme, which with three years of implementation, is pioneering solutions for displaced populations and their host communities.

Underpinning this sustainable resettlement approach are all the tenants of the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG) 2030, most particularly “Leave no one behind” and “reaching the furthest behind first.”

Deliberations of the meeting also unraveled underpinning approaches to ensure that communities living in the targeted resettlement schemes of Meheba and Mayukwayukwa are cohesive, productive, sustainable and fully integrated into development at all levels. Three key areas necessary to achieve the overall aim were underscored as participatory approach to planning and governance: these communities must be integrated into the national planning processes at national, provincial, district, and ward levels so that their needs can be identified and prioritized through a consultative basis.

Such a decentralized approach is essential to grow cohesive and sustainable communities.

In addition, the meeting heard that the plan for 2020 stresses on “Access to social services and socio-economic opportunities”, which focus on the communities in and around the sustainable resettlement schemes that need to have access to available social services and economic opportunities, which is fully in line with the targets of the 7NDP.

The third approach looked at Inclusiveness and social integration; the communities need to be wholly integrated with the surrounding society, which is an important ingredient to promote peace and harmony including social cohesion and for the realization of individual and collective livelihood aspirations.

And presenting the multi-year work plan, Ms. Mweene Mimba, Senior Land Use Planning Officer from Office of the Vice President, said the work plan will continue to promote the local integration process of former refugees with Zambians in designated resettlement schemes. She noted that the plan seeks to ensure that there are improved planning and governance systems, expanded socio-economic opportunities coupled with accessible infrastructure, and improved rates of social cohesion to contribute to self-resilience.

Ultimately, the rate of relocation is expected to increase.

Expected activities for 2020 will take place across the three outcome areas, with the majority of resources allocated to outcome two for infrastructure, as one of the key priorities for the development of the resettlement schemes. Several SDGs are targeted, specifically SDGs 5, 9 and 10.

SPAG provides overall high level policy decisions and guidance to the Technical Committee, the Department of Resettlement and other technical bodies involved in the implementation of different components of the Programme. It also supports investment mobilisation from international and national, private and public sector potential partners, including increased Government budgetary consideration and allocation to the Programme.