Free virtual workshop on Extended Producer Responsibility Copyright: Vanessa Tyaba
The NatuReS Zambia team and LuWSI, in collaboration with a team of specialists from BlackForest Solutions (BFS), Landbell AG and Cleanhub will be conducting a free online workshop on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The purpose of the workshop is to introduce the concept of EPR, using the EPR toolbox and the concept of offsetting certificates for plastic waste, which can be seen as the first step towards EPR.
The workshop will be held on the 17th of June from 10:00 – 12:30 CAT.
Linda Masuwa Ward Development Committee Secretary Copyright NatuReS Zambia
The ability of a community to mitigate against adverse effects of Covid-19 by preventing its spread is crucial in fighting the current pandemic. Especially the success of sensitization campaigns depends heavily on the adequate communication within local communities. NatuReS Zambia, in collaboration with the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI) and Lusaka City Council (LCC), demonstrates how response measures can be grounded and effectively carried out under the leadership of community governance structures.
Building on the community engagement and empowerment processes implemented by LCC, Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) conducted a series of trainings for Ward Development Committees and Community Facilitators. Their capacity to build networks and effectively communicate with the communities is key in the implementation of Covid-19 prevention measures. The goal of the trainings is to build a pipeline of community-generated stories that link communities with media houses to give a practical expression of community views, experiences, lessons, ideas and knowledge on Covid-19. The more communities identify with awareness campaigns and prevention measures, the stronger is their ability to fight the spread of the pandemic.
This training series is also an important aspect of social change, as it represents an interactive avenue to communicate societal thinking and norms. It will help convey experiences from the perspective of communities and hence make it possible to better inform future interventions. Moreover, evaluating the effectiveness of measures and expanding lessons learnt and best practices within communities will ensure a stronger impact and eventually improve public health.
Masauso Ng’ombe Ward Development Committee Secretary Copyright NatuReS Zambia
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Southern Africa, the Zambian capital Lusaka faces numerous threats to its water security. This is especially the case for low-income areas, where mere access to water remains a challenge. One such area is George Compound, a peri-urban community of 200,000 residents located in the Western part of Lusaka. Many residents fetch their water at public kiosks, serviced by the local utility company’s wellfields. However, some residents still fetch it from contaminated or heavily polluted shallow wells.
To address this problem, the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) implemented a water supply improvement project in George compound and the surrounding industrial area. The project was financed by Zambian Breweries (ZB) at a cost of 150,000$. It involved the drilling of a borehole and the installation of a 3.4km pipeline to George compound.
The commissioned pipeline Copyright: LWSC and ZB
Over 40,000 community members will benefit from this collective action, implemented under the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI) partnership. Additionally, it will also serve as a COVID-19 prevention measure, as it provides reliable access to water and hence makes e.g. regular hand-washing possible.
The Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Honorable Rapheal Nakachinda, commissioned the project infrastructure on March 19th, 2021. NatuReS Zambia as partners of LuWSI facilitate and promote such collective action in order to manage natural resources for sustainable growth and better livelihoods.
Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Rapheal Nakachinda, inaugurating the new pipeline Copyright: LWSC and ZB
A pupil utilizing one of the foot operated hand washing station given to schools Copyright: GIZ
Zambia, like many other countries, has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and has taken measures to mitigate the risks of the virus. In education, schools were closed to curb the spread of the virus but were reopened after two months.
In Zambia and its capital Lusaka in particular, the number of COVID-19 cases has been steadily increasing. This poses a threat to the lives of both pupils and teachers. In response, the local municipality, Lusaka City Council (LCC), launched the “Safe Back to School Campaign” on 21 September 2020.
The campaign aims to support a safe reopening of all schools in Lusaka by taking action to contain the spread of COVID-19 in schools. By ensuring that students wear face masks and practice good personal hygiene, especially washing their hands with soap and water and regular use of hand sanitisers, both teachers and learners are protected. This will also help to protect surrounding communities.
Forty-two schools in Lusaka were selected. During the launch, schools were given facemasks, hand sanitisers and handwashing stations. The availability, provision and access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in schools are an essential defence against COVID-19.
Handwashing demonstration at the launch of the ” Safe Back to School Campaign” Copyright: GIZ
The Safe Back to School Campaign is part of the Green Schools Partnership Program (GSPP) led by LCC and implemented under the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI) of that NatuReS Zambia is a partner.
