Zambia
Zambia
Zambia is advancing a whole-of-government, climate-smart approach to refugee inclusion, transforming settlements into economic hubs while promoting access to services, land, and sustainable livelihoods for displaced and host communities alike.
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Key statistics
106,939
people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024
79,284
people were registered as refugees in the country at the end of 2024, mostly from the DR Congo
$26.1 million
are needed in 2025 to ensure that operations and programmes in Zambia are sustained
Home to over 106,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and former refugees, Zambia continues to strengthen its inclusive approach to refugee protection while facing growing climate-related challenges. In 2024, the country experienced rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts and floods, which disrupted agricultural production, impacted livelihoods, and strained household resilience, particularly in refugee-hosting areas.
Despite these pressures, Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to refugee inclusion. The Government launched its first-ever National Refugee Policy and Implementation Plan in January 2024, with UNHCR support, reinforcing the integration of refugees into national systems. Refugees now have access to health, education, social protection, banking, SIM registration, and arable land, though ecosystem degradation and access limitations remain.
Through a whole-of-government approach, Zambia is transforming its three main refugee settlements – Meheba, Mayukwayukwa and Mantapala – into economic hubs, supported by integrated development plans and a new Agricultural Road Map promoting climate-smart, market-oriented solutions. UNHCR, in collaboration with line ministries, UN agencies and partners, continues to deliver protection and multi-sectoral support, advocating for the inclusion of both refugees and host communities in national services and sustainable development plans.
Strategy and results
This section provides key information related to the Global Appeal and Global Report.
Strategy
Latest multi-year strategy, outlining key priorities and a comprehensive overview of operational plans as part of the Global Appeal.
Indicators and targets
Indicators and targets enable operations to establish their benchmarks and targets for comparison with results.
Annual Results Report
Latest Annual Results Report highlighting key achievements from the year and published as part of the Global Report.
Population and financial overview
Zambia
Use the year selector to access information from previous years.
Populations
Population types
Population types
Note: The "Stateless" category does not include stateless people who are also in other categories, to avoid double counting. The total number of stateless, across all categories, is .
NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.
Population by country
Population by country
NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.
Population by origin
Population by origin
NB: 2025 figures are planning figures.
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder for years until 2022, UNHCR planning figures (COMPASS) otherwise.
Financial
Budget and expenditure trend
Budget and expenditure trend
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by pillar
Budget by pillar
Budget by objective
Budget by objective
Note: The table presents the budget for this operation broken down at the objective level. Resource allocation at the objective level is subject to change during the course of the year as the operational situation evolves and priorities shift. The current budget, reflected in the bottom line of this table, is updated on a monthly basis and is replaced by the final budget at year-end.
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2023 budget as approved by the Executive Committee in October 2022.
2022 current budget as approved by the High Commissioner as of October 2022; pending presentation to the ExCom's Standing Committee.
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Source: 2024 budget and 2023 current budget are taken from the budget document approved by UNHCR's Executive Committee in October 2023.
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
yearselected
Strategy - Country
Strategy
Street Address:
Horizon House, Plot 17C, Leopards Hills Roads, Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 32542, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
Phone:
+41 22 739 7234
Fax:
+41 22 739 7235
Email:
[email protected]
Time zone:
GMT +2
Working hours
- Monday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Tuesday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Thursday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Friday: closed
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday: closed
Public holidays
- 2 January 2023, New Year's Holiday
- 7 April 2023, Good Friday
- 10 April 2023, Easter Monday
- 21 April 2023, Eid Al-Fitr
- 1 May 2023, Labour Day
- 30 June 2023, Eid-al-Adha
- 3 July 2023, Heroes Day
- 4 July 2023, Unity Day
- 24 October 2023, Independence Day
- 25 December 2023, Christmas Day
The UNHCR Head of Field Office at Solwezi
Street Address:
2410 Riverside, Solwezi, Zambia
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 110132, Solwezi, Zambia
Phone:
+260 218 821545
Fax:
+260 218 821170
Email:
[email protected]
Time zone:
GMT +2
Working hours
- Monday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Tuesday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Thursday: 8:00 - 17:00
- Friday: 8:00 - 13:30
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday: closed
Public holidays
- 2 January 2023, New Year's Holiday
- 7 April 2023, Good Friday
- 10 April 2023, Easter Monday
- 21 April 2023, Eid Al-Fitr
- 1 May 2023, Labour Day
- 30 June 2023, Eid-al-Adha
- 3 July 2023, Heroes Day
- 4 July 2023, Unity Day
- 24 October 2023, Independence Day
- 25 December 2023, Christmas Day
