Zambia, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, hosts refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returned refugees. Refugees predominantly come from countries such as Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola. Most of these displaced individuals reside in rural areas, where infrastructure and access to essential services are limited.

Zambia’ s economic performance has stalled due to high inflation, fiscal deficits, and unsustainable debt levels. Despite the socioeconomic and human impact of the context, the Government upholds its open-door policy allowing asylum seekers and refugees to live alongside the host communities and access lifesaving services and natural resources.  A large portion of the refugee population in Zambia is settled in three designated rural settlements, with a requirement for refugees to remain there unless granted special permission to leave. While social cohesion between refugees and host communities is positive, refugees in these settlements face challenges such as overcrowding, limited access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. In urban areas, refugees and asylum-seekers often struggle to integrate due to economic barriers and the lack of employment opportunities.