MS works for greater equality

The majority of Zambia's population makes ends meet beneath the poverty line. Photo: Jan Kjær.

ZAMBIA is one of the poorest countries in the southern part of Africa. 75 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and the average life expectancy has in just 10 years dropped from approximate 55 years to 35-40 years. The poverty is a sharp contrast to the abundant natural resources and cultivation possibilities. The problem is that only a select few control the wealth.

Pushing for land reforms

MS, the Danish Association for International Co-operation, in Zambia (MS Zambia) works on agriculture issues, natural resource management, as well as democracy and good governance. In collaboration with local organizations, we find the causes of poverty and help empower local communities so that they may improve their situation.

Furthermore, MS Zambia works with a number of national organizations to strengthen civil society, to enable it to influence the government towards legislative changes. This could, for example, be a land reform to the benefit of the poor.

Putting a stop to poaching

The wild animals in South Luangwa National Park in Eastern Zambia are a big attraction, and therefore a large source of revenue for the country. The money, however, simply bypassed the locals in the area, who consequently saw no reason for conserving the population of wild animals. This resulted in poaching, and a standing conflict between locals and the government.

With the implementation of a new law in the late 1990s, local committees were created. These committees receive 45 percent of all safari revenues, and in turn must actively participate in conserving the wildlife.

MS partner SLAMU trains the popularly elected members of the local committees to take part in management, and in how to use the tourist revenues for local area development.

Vast natural resources but also great poverty is the paradoxical situation found in Zambia and several other African countries. Photo: Manja Kamwi.

Monitoring the promises to the poor

Zambia has made a commitment to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to draw up a strategy for poverty reduction. In return, Zambia will be partially relieved of its debts. Yet, one thing is the sum allocated to the poor on the Budget. Another thing is how much actually reaches the people.

Last year, MS partner Civil Society for Poverty Reduction called attention to several cases of corruption and misappropriation of funds, which had been earmarked for fighting poverty. The organization has people posted in even the most remote parts of Zambia, who monitor whether the government is living up to its promises to the poor or not.