Five women in colorful skirts walk along a dusty rural path beside tall dry grass.

Development of Basic Infrastructure in Settlements for Displaced Persons and their Host Communities Project

Better Roads. Better Schools. Better Health. Improved Livelihoods.

About the Project

The Development of Basic Infrastructure in Settlements for Displaced Persons and their Host Communities Project is a collaborative initiative between the Government of Zambia, UNDP, and the Government of Japan, implemented by the UNDP through Resettlement Division under the Office of the Vice President with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

With a total investment of USD 5.4 million, the project aims to improve the lives of more than 42,000 refugees, former refugees, and host community members across Mayukwayukwa and Meheba Resettlement Schemes in Western and North-Western Provinces.

What We’re Building

The project will deliver inclusive, climate-smart, and gender-responsive infrastructure designed to expand access to essential services and economic opportunities. This includes:

  • Upgraded gravel roads connecting communities to markets and services
  • Provision of Water supply systems and improved sanitation facilities
  • Provision of new and improved School and health facilities
  • Irrigation schemes to support sustainable livelihoods and improved food security

Impact

START DATE

January 2025

END DATE

December 2027

STATUS

Ongoing

PROJECT OFFICE

Zambia

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

ZMB_Department of Resettlement, Office of the Vice President

DONORS

Japanese international Cooperation Agenc

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

$3,678,169

DELIVERY IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2025$2,255,430

Full Project information

Related Facts and Figures

Target Group

42,475

forcibly displaced persons and host community members empowered with economic opportunities and social integration by 2028.

Better Roads

30 km

of gravel access roads to be constructed (25 km in Mayukwayukwa and 5 km in Meheba).

Better Schools

9,231

children to gain improved access to education facilities, with 38 solar-powered staff houses being built for teachers and health workers.

Better Health

20%

increase in access to health facilities by 2027.

Clean Water Access

900

households to gain access to clean domestic water.

Improved Livelihoods

800

farmers to receive irrigation support through new reservoirs and boreholes.

Our Vision

This project reflects Zambia’s national commitment to durable solutions for displaced populations while strengthening social cohesion with host communities. It builds on previous successes in the Promoting Human Security Programme, extending the vision of long-term inclusion, self-reliance, and resilience as envisioned by the Government of Zambia through the Local Integration Framework.

By 2027, the project will leave behind increased opportunity, dignity, and strengthened community systems in both Mayukwayukwa and Meheba.

Partnership in Action

This initiative embodies the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus, showcasing how government leadership, community engagement, and donor partnership can come together to drive sustainable change.

Key Partners:

  • Government of Zambia – Office of the Vice President, Resettlement Division
  • Government of Japan
  • Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Local authorities, Zambia National Service, community Groups/leaders, and the private sector.