LUSAKA — The United States and Zambian governments officially launched our joint Zambia Family (ZAMFAM) activities that target orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and people living with HIV (PLHIV) in four provinces in Zambia.  Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with funding provided by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), ZAMFAM seeks to help 225,000 OVC and 40,000 PLHIV over the life of the activity.  Between 2015 and 2020, the U.S. Government will invest more than $48 million through the USAID ZAMFAM activities.

Recognizing the need for action in its revised sixth National Development Plan, the Government of the Republic of Zambian addressed the critical necessity for social protection for the most vulnerable of the nation’s population, including OVC and vulnerable youth.  In response, USAID designed the Zambia Family activities to strengthen families and caregivers, community-based organizations, and public structures in order to enhance the quality of OVC services while supporting HIV epidemic control in Zambia.  

 “ZAMFAM’s approach is to identify families and caregivers that face daily challenges in caring for orphans and vulnerable children, as well as people living with HIV/AIDS,” remarked USAID Mission Director Michael Yates.  “In close partnership with the Zambian Government, we then bring support services to families and guardians, as we strengthen their ability to care for family members and those in need.”

The USAID Zambia Family activity is divided into two, targeting multiple provinces:  ZAMFAM Copperbelt-Lusaka and ZAMFAM South-Central.  The twin activities will work in close collaboration with the Zambian Government and other stakeholders to promote strong coordination, improve social welfare and health systems, and strengthen sustainable service delivery.

Both ZAMFAM activities build on preceding USAID projects supporting Zambia’s vulnerable populations affected by HIV and AIDS, specifically the Zambia Rising, Community Rising, and Data Rising activities and the Sustainability Through Economic Strengthening, Prevention, and Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (STEPS OVC) activity which operates though February 2016.

Between 2015 and 2020, the U.S. Government will invest more than $48 million through the USAID ZAMFAM activities, with ZAMFAM Copperbelt-Lusaka being implemented by Expanded Church Response (ECR) and ZAMFAM South-Central being implemented by Development Aid from People to People Zambia (DAPP).