August 2011 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: Campaigns must Focus on Issues that will Improve Living Conditions of Zambians, Says JCTR
Abstract
The JCTR has been collecting information on living conditions on a regular basis since the 1990s using the
Basic Needs Basket (BNB), a tool that tracks the average cost of basic food and essential non-food commodities
for an average family of six in Lusaka. The BNB is now being conducted in ten other towns across Zambia.
Overtime, the evidence has consistently shown that most Zambian households face challenges in accessing the
most basic of needs, mainly adequate food and essential non-food commodities, such as decent housing
facilities.At the end of July 2011, the BNB for Lusaka was K2,922,800. While this showed a reduction of K5,950 from
K2,928,750 recorded in June 2011, the average cost is too high for most households to adequately meet
essential household needs. Furthermore, as the JCTR’s total BNB cost excludes household cost of health,
education and transport, average monthly costs for most households are higher than would be reflected by the
BNB.
Description
As the country is preparing for the September 2011 elections, JCTR urges all political parties and electorates to
focus on issues that will enhance the quality of living of every Zambian, especially the poor. According to the
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), a faith based organisation that promotes social justice, “it is
imperative that the campaigns and subsequent parliamentary and presidential elections be based on improving
household living conditions”. Of utmost importance are the issues relating to availability and accessibility of
adequate nutrition and quality social services to the majority of Zambians.