Zambia
Overview
With ongoing conflict in its largest neighbor— the Democratic Republic of Congo—and political and economic instability in another— Zimbabwe—a stable, democratic, and prosperous Zambia is important for the United States and the region. About two-thirds of Zambians live in poverty. Annual incomes are well below the level at the time of independence and, at $1,500 a person, place the country among the world's poorest nations. Some social indicators have improved slightly with life expectancy at birth now at 39 years (up from 37) and maternal mortality down to 591 per 100,000 live births from 729. Yet, the country's rate of economic growth cannot support rapid population growth or the strain that HIV/AIDS related issues place on government resources.
USAID’s priorities reflect the cross-cutting nature of Zambia’s challenges. Assistance concentrates on agriculture-led economic growth to reduce rural poverty and food insecurity, improving the health of Zambians, raising the quality of basic education, reducing the incidence and impact of HIV/AIDS, enhancing governance, and responding to humanitarian assistance needs.
Programs
Governing Justly and Democratically
Corruption is a major constraint to Zambia’s development. USAID supports the Government of Zambia’s goal to provide a system of governance that creates conditions for markets to function, facilitates the efficient and effective delivery of basic services, ensures civil society participation in decision-making, and maximizes the welfare of Zambian communities and individuals. The good governance program addresses key strongholds of administrative corruption through government business process reengineering and is working with the Department of National Registration, Passport, and Citizenship on transparent and efficient service delivery.
Investing in People: Health
USAID is integrating HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment education in its work across all sectors. In close collaboration with the Zambian government and other donors, PEPFAR funds are scaling up integrated prevention, care, and treatment programs and targeting the cross-cutting impact of HIV/AIDS in Zambia. As a result of USAID support, more than 250,000 people now regularly receive antiretroviral treatment. More than 166,000 pregnant women have benefited from USAID’s prevention of mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission services in 302 facilities.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE: EDUCATION
USAID helps to increase the quality of education for girls and vulnerable children, improve the health and nutrition of students, support teacher training, and strengthen Zambia’s education reforms. The interactive radio instruction program is a vital way to reach school-age children who are not enrolled in government schools. This program reaches 800,000 children who would otherwise have no access to education. USAID’s water and sanitation program supports the improved health and the school learning environment by providing clean water and sanitation facilities in 800 schools, benefiting over 240,000 learners and helping to keep girls in school.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
U.S. support for economic growth targets Zambia’s central development challenge to provide jobs, reduce poverty, and sustain social service delivery. Zambia’s dependence on mining, construction, and urban commercial activity leaves Zambia’s agriculture-dependent rural poor lagging in most social welfare measures. U.S. assistance—with funding from the Feed the Future Initiative—emphasizes economic opportunities for rural smallholders, closely linked to programs that target agricultural productivity and increase market access. Economic growth programs leverage U.S. investments in nutrition and humanitarian assistance to reduce rural poverty, decrease child malnutrition, and reduce vulnerable community aid dependence.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Sustainable economic and social progress in Zambia is hindered by recurrent droughts and floods. Innovative USAID assistance merges food security with income generation activities, agricultural projects, and private-sector oriented activities in provinces that are chronically affected by drought or flood, enabling recipients to break out of the perpetual cycle of dependency.
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