Overview
This draft National Refugee Policy sets out Zambia’s vision for a just and inclusive society for asylum seekers, refugees, former refugees, and returnees. It reviews the displacement context and identifies key challenges, including gaps in reception and admission systems, civil registration and documentation, access to justice, prevention of statelessness, access to health and education, energy and infrastructure deficits, and limited livelihood opportunities. The policy defines six objectives: strengthen protection and documentation; improve access to essential social services; enhance livelihoods and self-reliance; promote co-existence with host communities; expand access to durable solutions (voluntary repatriation, resettlement, and local integration); and improve coordination and inclusion of refugees in national development processes. It specifies policy measures for each objective and emphasizes inclusion in data systems and development plans. An implementation framework assigns roles to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security as lead, with clear responsibilities across relevant ministries, local authorities, traditional leaders, civil society, and cooperating partners. It calls for review of related legislation, mobilization of government and partner resources, and establishment of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, including regular reporting and a mid-term evaluation.