Mayukwayuwa Refugee Resettlement, Western Province, Zambia, 23 July 2025 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Resettlement Division – Offices of the Vice President and supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Zambia (JICA), broke ground on a transformative infrastructure project aimed at improving the lives of over 42,000 refugees, former refugees and host community members in the Mayukwayukwa and Meheba resettlement schemes.

Funded by a generous investment of over USD 5.4 million from the Government of Japan, and implemented with the technical collaboration of the JICA, the project will deliver climate-smart, inclusive, and gender-responsive infrastructure to boost service delivery in these communities, including gravel roads, irrigation schemes, upgrades to schools, water supply systems, and health facilities.

Officiating this critical groundbreaking, Hon. Kapelwa Mbangweta, MP, Provincial Minister for Western Province shared that "the projects we are undertaking this ground breaking for are part of the second phase of efforts to sustain and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Resettlement Programme (SRP) implemented between 2017 and 2023 in Meheba and Mayukwayukwa.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, UNDP Officer-in-Charge, Mr Laurent Rudasingwa expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its long-standing support and strategic partnership in advancing human security and sustainable livelihoods in Zambia. “The project exemplifies how government ownership, community engagement, and donor partnership can come together to build resilience and foster development in fragile settings.” he said.

Also in attendance were, Ms. Mavis Nkomeshya, Permanent Secretary for the Resettlement Division; Mr. Satoshi Ominato, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan; Mr. Kosho Yamagata representatives from JICA, Ms. Preeta Law, Resident Representative from UNHCR , Zambia National Service (ZNS), and local traditional leaders.

Speaking to the partnership between the Governments of Zambia and Japan, Mr. Ominato added that this initiative is meant to, “ensure the realisation of dignified living conditions, access to economic opportunities and access to social integration for forcibly displaced persons in the Meheba and Mayukwayukwa Resettlements by the year 2028.” He future underscored Japan's commitment to supporting Zambia in addressing humanitarian efforts, including "easing pressure on host communities, enhancing self-reliance as well as creating a conductive environment for safe dignified and voluntary returns for displaced persons."