Zambia

Thousands of refugees in Zambia have fled conflict, political instability and other emergencies and crises in their home countries. The Government has taken steps to create an inclusive society. However, refugees are faced with challenges such as poverty and a lack of access to many resources, including a limited access to quality education.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected all aspects of life in Zambia, including the education sector. School closures left refugee and host community children and adolescents out of the classroom nationwide. Many refugee children have had their learning disrupted for extended periods of time, and the lockdowns further exacerbated this, putting them at risk of never returning.

Weak educational infrastructure and overcrowded schools lacking adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities provided unsafe environments for children to return to when schools reopened. Remote options were limited due to a lack of resources, forcing students to either pause their schooling or expose themselves to the risk of the virus.

ECW launched a First Emergency Response (FER) to increase access for refugee and host community children to safe learning environments. The funding supported partners to provide an array of remote learning programmes that ensured continuity during and after closures. Funding also established new, fully-stocked classrooms and adequate WASH facilities. To further meet children and adolescent’s needs, ECW partners provided mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services to address trauma, stress and anxiety incurred.

All activities funded as part of this COVID-19 FER concluded in 2021. ECW has no active programme in Zambia.