Assistance for Supporting the Zambia Initiative

February 18, 2004

On February 18 (Wednesday), the Government of Japan and the United Nations (UN) decided to extend assistance of a total of 1,201,020.58 US dollars through the Trust Fund for Human Security for the project "Zambia Initiative-Development through Local Integration" to be implemented by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The purpose of this project is to support the following activities included in the Zambia Initiative that aims at enhancing food productivity of the Western Province of Zambia that hosts approximately 150 thousand refugees from neighbouring countries, mostly from Angola, as well as creating an environment conducive for refugees to become responsible members of the host communities.

Main Activities

(1)	Agriculture (a) Extension of Irrigation Practice (b) Extension of Animal Draft Power Use (c) Establishment of a Community-Managed Revolving Fund for Agricultural Inputs (d) Extension of a Community Food Processing, Conservation and Storage Techniques (e) Animal Health Protection
(2)	Infrastructure and Natural Resources Management (a) Rehabilitation and Construction of Rural Feeder Roads (b) Creation of Forest Nurseries (c) Establishment of a Community-Managed Revolving Fund for Well Construction

This project is expected to stabilize the refugee hosting areas in Zambia by enhancing the reception capacities of the Zambian communities.

(Note)
Japan established the Trust Fund for Human Security in the United Nations Secretariat in March 1999, with total contributions of 22.9 billion yen up to the present. The Trust Fund has assisted numerous projects of UN agencies that address various threats against human lives, livelihoods and dignity, from the perspective of Human Security.

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