Zambia is one of the most urbanised countries in Africa, approximately 42% of the total population of 11.9 million live in urban areas. It is estimated that 70-75% of this urban population live in informal settlements or slums, known as compounds. Lusaka, the capital and the largest of the Zambian cities, with a population of 1.2 million, has at least 37 such compounds.
According to UNDP Zambia (2007) overall extreme poverty in Zambia has reached 68% of the population. The UN Human Development Report (2006) ranks Zambia 165th out of 177 countries when considering indicators such as life expectancy, income and education.
A majority of the informal urban settlements in Zambia are overcrowded, roads and drains, if present, are unplanned and in poor condition. Generally, there are no sewage systems or refuse disposal facilities and water points are limited. These poor living conditions impact greatly on health and social indicators.
The rates of Zambians living with HIV/AIDS are especially high in cities. The 2007 UNDP Zambia Human Development Report (pp. 40), states that ‘in general, HIV prevalence is more than twice higher in urban areas than in rural areas…’ and that ‘more [HIV positive] urban dwellers are likely to die earlier, especially those living in unplanned sites with no access to sanitation and water’. Due to poor living conditions, slum dwellers are more susceptible to opportunistic infections.
Based in Lusaka, People's Process on Housing and Poverty in Zambia (PPHPZ) is Homeless International’s local partner and acts as the support NGO for the Zambia Homeless and Poor People’s Federation (ZHPPF). ZHPPF formed in 2001 from a nationwide network of collective savings groups started by poor families living in informal settlements in Zambia. Currently there are 22,000 such families across 14 towns and cities nationwide collectively saving and working together to address the challenges they face and improve their living conditions
For more information, please download Homeless International’s Zambia factsheet detailing the role of Federations and extensive progress in Zambia so far. Also see links to related items below, including an account of a cross-Zambezi exchange visit undertaken by Zambian and Zimbabwean federations and local authorities.
