Japan, UNDP fund Resettlement Schemes with $5.9M Grant

By Masauso Mkwayaya

Japan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme -UNDP-, has given Zambia a US$5.9-million grant to improve livelihoods of forcibly displaced people in the Mayukwayukwa and Maheba resettlement schemes.

Vice President MUTALE NALUMANGO says the grant, channelled through the Japan International Cooperation Agency -JICA, will provide 800 households access to water for irrigation and home use.

Mrs. NALUMANGO says the initiative will enable settlers to contribute to the country’s food security.

Speaking when she met Japanese Ambassador to Zambia TAKEUCHI KAZUYUKI who handed over the grant at her office, Mrs. NALUMANGO also thanked JICA for facilitating access to water for 2,000 people in the two resettlement schemes under the first phase of the project.

And Mr. KAZUYUKI said the project, dubbed “The Development of Basic Infrastructure in Settlements for Displaced Persons and Their Host Communities Project,” aims to ease pressure on host communities and improve social services for displaced persons.

And United Nations Development Programme -UNDP- Country Director JAMES WAKIAGA commended Zambia for its commitment to supporting refugees and forcibly displaced persons.

And JICA Chief Representative TATEYAMA JOTARO said the project seeks to promote peaceful co-existence between host communities and forcibly displaced persons through the development of essential infrastructure.