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P.O. Box 37774 Lusaka, Zambia, 10101
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Basic Needs Basket Press Releases!
Home | Press Releases Cost of Living still high despite stable Inflation Rates, says JCTR - while 2011 was a good year at a macro-economic level, at a micro-level the cost of living remained high and this may be exacerbated by the debt crisis with the Kwacha weakening. 20 January 2012
Unmet basic needs a threat to an AIDS free generation, says JCTR - Among the factors that influence the spread of HIV in Zambia is the vulnerability and marginalization of people, triggered by the inability to meet their basic needs.12 December 2011
Cost of living still high despite reduction in poverty line, says JCTR - With this high cost of living and the minimal reduction in poverty levels recorded during the FNDP period, , it is imperative that government finds sustainable ways of translating economic growth into significant poverty reduction. 10 November 2011
Comprehensive Policy evaluation essential for meeting basic needs, says JCTR - Wage increases if not accompanied by increase in production levels of an economy only result in an increase in prices of commodities, in response to high cost of production following high cost of labour. 10 October 2011
Peace and stability cardinal to meeting basic needs, says JCTR- .... in instances of unrest, the economy becomes unstable and makes the environment more challenging for the poor to have access to decent jobs and quality social services. 14 September 2011
Campaigns must focus on issues that will improve living conditions of Zambians, says JCTR - If the process of elections is to be meaningful to Zambian households, they must be seen to be creating positive changes in as far as improving households ability to access basic needs. 12 August 2011
Lower middle income status should be meaningful to Zambians, says JCTR- “With less than five years to the MDG deadline, this reclassification implies that more domestic resources must be raised to meet the MDG targets” 28 July 2011
"Develop the rural areas," JCTR urges Government - ...most rural areas in Zambia are strongly characterised by high illiteracy levels, poor investment in infrastructure, low human resources, poor research and extension and low private sector service delivery... 30 June 2011
Beyond the AGOA forum, will the poor now benefit?- it is imperative to ensure most small producers, including women, benefit from the AGOA process. 15 June 2011
Creating more jobs in the manufacturing sector is more sustainable, says JCTR- Clearly, increasing the quantity and improving the quality of jobs is essential to enabling people meet their basic needs. 17 May 2011
Public Private Partnership is crucial to development, says JCTR - PPPs can foster desired economic growth, reduce poverty and provide an effective and appropriate mechanism to manage the complexity of the development challenges. 13 April 2011
Life in high density areas is still a challenge despite high economic growth, says JCTR - ..the satellite homes survey revealed a harsh reality that amidst the positive macroeconomic indicators recorded, the quality of life for most people has remained low”.24 March 2011
Women are more vulnerable to high cost of basic commodities, says JCTR- women continue to face barriers in various socio-economic issues. 13 March 2011
Will the minimum wage increase the purchasing power for employees? -JCTR asks as the lusaka bnb reaches k3,000,000 The minimum wage is one of the most important labour market policies in any economy 05 February 2011
JCTR's Basic Needs Basket shows a mixed picture in 2010 - The macro-economic status showed very positive .... However, the human conditions seemed to deteriorate .... 15 January 2011
JCTR urges Government to prioritise creation of formal employment -the quality of employment is just as important as the creation of employment itself. 15 December 2010
Zambia must urgently respond to the worsening human development, says JCTR -...there should not only be increased public spending to the three critical sectors of education, health and agriculture but also a focus on particular sector budget lines requiring attention. 15 November 2010
"Will the 2010 budget really promote human development?" asks JCTR - ....the budget shows a mixed picture.18 0ctober 2010
High cost of essential non-food items erodes reduction in cost of food, says JCTR - The average cost of these non-food essentials in Lusaka increased by K115,600 from K1,863,830 in July 2010 to K1,979,430 in August 2010.13 September 2010
Food security, key to development, says JCTR-..... low calorie intake has negative effects on the development of the individual, community and economy. 23 August 2010
Government must commit to providing safe water and sanitation to all, says JCTR - Access to safe water and sanitation was left out of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, approved in 1948, mainly because these issues were not seen to be as challenging.08 August 2010
Does the Draft Constitution meet the needs of the majority poor? Asks JCTR - The question to ask therefore is do the provisions in the draft constitution set sufficient grounds for realising the inherent needs of the Zambian people, especially the poor? 20 July 2010
JCTR urges Government to prioritise School Feeding Programmes - The introduction of feeding programmes in all primary schools, especially in rural areas has the potential of being a practical way of responding to the issue of chronic poverty. 11 June 2010
Decent work for all should be upheld, says JCTR - Even though statistics in Zambia show that more than 80% are in one form of employment or another, most of these are either underemployed or classified as unpaid family workers. 04 May 2010
Zambia should invest in labour intensive sectors, says JCTR as the average cost of food in Lusaka reaches K 901,500 - The latest BNB shows an average nominal increase of K41,250 from K860,250 in February 2010 to K901,500 in March 2010 for a family of six in Lusaka. The increase was mainly driven by increases in the cost of vegetables, dry fish, eggs and cooking oil. 14 April 2010
"JCTR calls for the necessary steps to address the high cost of living experience at the start and end of the year" -The unrelenting high cost of living that many Zambian households experience at the beginning and end of each year is now a long standing problem- 11 March 2010
"Housing affordability, a key development challenge," says JCTR-Certainly, there is an urgent need to improve poor urban resident’s housing needs. The state must take reasonable legislative action, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right in carrying out measures to develop national shelter strategies and settlement improvement programmes. 15 February 2010
“2009 Characterised by high cost of living” - While inflation has reportedly been contained to manageable levels of just below 10 percent, cost of living as revealed by the JCTR Basic Needs Basket for Lusaka continued to rise for most of the year. December 2009
Climate Change, a major threat to Food Security,Says JCTR -climate change may result in more severe droughts and floods with devastating effects on crop yields. Some projections indicate that diminutive increases in temperature will reduce yields for sensitive crops such as maize by over 10%. November 2009
The Minimum Wage Should be Reflective of the High Cost of Living, Urges JCTR - Zambia is faced with a double burden of high unemployment and underemployment as expressed by consistently low employment generation and low average incomes. October 2009
Will the 2010 budget meet the needs of the people, especially the poor? - The strength of the recently presented 2010 budget lies in how well it aligns itself to the objectives of the country’s Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) September 2009
Equity should be at the Centre of the Sixth National Development Plan, Says JCTR - Equity is what will lead to the creation and reinforcement of human development and attainment of national development plans. August 2009
Zambia Needs to Fight “Cycles” of Hunger, Says JCTR “Meeting the first Millennium Development Goal seems to be a far fetched dream, as the number of people suffering from chronic hunger and poverty in the world officially reaches an estimated one billion and twenty, the highest in the history of humanity.
July 2009JCTR says improved agricultural policy must address high food prices of last six months - The cost of food for the month of June shows a reduction to K739, 500, compared to that of K815, 850 recorded in May. ... the cost of food still remains high and therefore presenting a challenge of accessing it by many households. June 2009
Cost of Food Records Substantial Increase in the Midst of Expected Decline in Prices, says JCTR - The continued increase in the cost of food is hurting the Zambian economy and undercutting development prospects of the country as increases of food have multidimensional effects on various sectors of Zambian society. May 2009
The Global Economic Crisis Manifests Worsening Social Crisis, reveals JCTR what impact will the economic crisis have on the Zambian people, most of whom are already poor? March 2009
JCTR Links Increased Malnutrition Levels to Rising Cost of Food Items. Incidence of malnutrition levels of children is a good indicator of the levels of human development of a nation February 2009
JCTR says K700, 000 Income Tax Exemption already eroded by High Cost of Living. The important discussions at the global level to respond to the economic recession have revealed more hard times to come. January 2009
Zambia was not spared from the 2008 food price boom, which affected household affordability of food prices and compromised the adequacy and quality of food intake. Evidence from the JCTR...
December 2008
Continued price increases of mealie meal a challenge to household food security, says JCTR. Maize meal is high in calorie intake and limited consumption of the food crop may lead to dire consequences such as malnutrition in children and lower contribution to wellbeing in adults October 2008
Ndola records highest food prices in September, JCTR reveals September 2008
Lift more people out of poverty and hunger, JCTR urges next government It is imperative to highlight that while Zambia has recorded economic progress, this has hardly translated into the expected benefit at the household level. August 2008
JCTR says continued examination of people’s coping mechanisms important in planning development interventions, especially in context of rising food prices July 2008
Is Zambia on target to meet MDGs in the midst of increased challenges? June 2008 Questions the JCTR Food is the most basic of human needs and therefore hunger is a subject that cannot be ignored.
Cycle of unfulfilled development commitments must come to an end: food needs of the people must be met at all times, observes JCTR May 2008 Disheartening in situations of prolonged inadequate food availability at the household level is that it tends to eventually be seen as a norm. Unfortunately, for most of Africa, inadequate food availability, disease, ignorance, etc., are occurrences that have not received the necessary urgency in reactions or redress.
Increasing food prices: The JCTR Basic Needs Basket tells it all. April 2008 The provision of sustained affordable cost of living has historically proved to be a challenge to most African economies. This challenge will become even more formidable than before given current increases in global and national food prices.
Debt, Aid and Trade Programme!
“Better aid” is “no aid”, observe Zambian CSOs at the high-level forum for aid effectiveness 04 September 2008
Joint Zambia civil society statement on the collapse of the Doha round of negotiations .13 August 2008World Debt Day, 16 May 2008 Jubilee-Zambia/JCTR Announce “FINISH THE WORK” on Debt Campaign!
14 May 2008IMF advice for new energy borrowing risks creating a “moral hazard syndrome,” warns JCTR!
26 March 2008JCTR Launches Comprehensive Debt Management Proposals and Debt Resources Monitoring Manual
29 November 2007"Government should provide credible information on Zambia’s external debt portfolio.” 03 October 2007
“Zambia’s first president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda fasts for “responsible borrowing” and “responsible lending” in solidarity with jubilee movements 10 October 2007
2 Years After Gleneagles Promises on Debt, Vulture Funds Undermining G8 Debt Deal 06 June 2007 Campaigners demand immediate G8 action to declare Vulture Fund profiteering illegal
The vulture fund finally bites Zambia and flies away, who next? 26 April 2007
Joint Statement on Economic Partnership Agreements on the EPA International Day Of Action,19 April 2007
“Stop bulldozing the EPA negotiation!” Jubilee and CSTNZ tell EU. 21 March 2007
Oxfam and Jubilee Call for Action as Vulture swoops on Zambia’s Case 15 February 2007
“Jubilee – Zambia Shocked by government’s misappropriation of HIPC funds.” 01 February 2007
Jubilee - Zambia reflects on 2006 national budget, calls for people centred 2007 budget. December 2006
Jubilee-Zambia intensifies campaign on trade justice. 20 November 2006
The EPAs should result in tangible development outcomes for Zambia, says the JCTR. October 2006
MDRI Debt Cancellation Welcome, But Not Yet 'Uhuru' for Zambia! July 2006
Zambia’s Trade Situation: Implications for Debt and Poverty Reduction. September 2005
Church Social Teaching ProgrammeTrue Freedom cannot be realised in Zambia without Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the new Constitution, Says JCTR. 23 May 2008
There should be institutional frameworks and structures to guarantee the full range of human freedoms and rights.Inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights in the new constitution a must, says JCTR. May 2008
It has to be realised that many development challenges in Zambia are linked to Economic, Social and Cultural rights. For instance, meeting the Millennium Development GoalsHow independent are we on Independence Day 2006? JCTR calls for a new bill of rights. October 2006
At the launch of “HIV and AIDS: A justice perspective”, JCTR calls for a more holistic response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 19 April 2006
JCTR links constitutional process and content in response to the CRC Draft; October 2005
Zambia; October 2005
"While the MDGs represent an ambitious set of targets, this paper argues that with renewed commitment, it is possible for the country to overcome the challenges and meet the MDGs.Constitutional compromise - Is it the only way forward?; August 2005
"The constant and seemingly deliberate delay to move forward the constitutional reform effectively – the most recent example being the failure to print adequate copies..."JCTR calls for serious efforts at meeting Millennium Development Goals in Zambia August 2005
“At another level, the failure to reduce the number of people suffering from hunger is indicative of the inadequate attention being given to the attainment of MDGs”Good Constitution And Good Theology: You Can’t Have One Without The Other!July 2005
“It is disturbing to read of the negative reactions of some church people to the dropping of the “Christian Nation” clause in the Preamble of the draft of our new Constitution.More efforts needed at addressing the challenges of employment creation;May 2005 One of the deepest crises of our time is that in addition to a general situation of unemployment -- where less than six hundred thousand people are in formal employment ...
A Church in the modern world of Africa: The Zambian Experience; March 2005
It is very important to realize that Zambia is a very rich country, one of the richest in Africa, and that Zambians are very poor people, some of the poorest in the world.The 2005 National Budget: continuing with the Status Quo?; February 2005
Unfortunately, the proposed 2005 budget fails to assess the current potential and struggles of the people, and consequently fails to offer a holistic strategy...
Press Releases
“Work on the APRM must continue in the face of elections” says JCTR - Elections seem to derail government’s commitment to the APRM 06 June 2011
14 March 2011
“Freedom of information (FOI)not only for the media,” says JCTR - The right to information is a right that is capable of benefitting citizens across all sectors of society.
21 October 2009
Zambia, where are we going with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)? Seriously Questions JCTR Zambians should be tired of not getting satisfactory answers from Government on processes that are there to benefit the people.
05 August 2009
2010 Budget: “Economic growth with equity: Investing in the dignity of the people” The move by government to start the budget preparations in the final quarter (of 2009) is a positive step but will need to be accompanied by a 2010 budget that responds to Zambia’s current situation, in order to develop sustainably.
The Political Climate in Zambia is Troubling - The first quarter of the year 2009 has raised so many concerns that directly relate to how democracy and politics are practised in Zambia.
08 May 2009
“The Public Finance Committee’s Recommendations on Loan Contraction are Encouraging but Insufficient” Says JCTR
07 April 2009
G-20 – the foundation is laid but more work is needed Restoring growth and jobs will need to reflect upon the past growth models that have been adopted. We have in the recent past assumed economic growth will address poverty
01 April 2009
20 Points for the G-20! JCTR expects the G-20 to respond to the different issues raised through the twenty points. This is with regard to the prevailing challenges that developing countries are facing.
25 February 2009
JCTR Applauds Government for signing Memorandum of Understanding on APRM. Our hope is to see the process begin immediately, first by showing clear plans and roadmaps on the process, and second, by educating citizens around Zambia on the APRM and how they can participate in the process.
20 February 2009
European Union interests undercut a Development friendly Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
12 February 2009
“The Debt Policy remarks in the Budget Presentation are worrying” says JCTR - Zambia needs to put in place a debt management framework that clearly sets the needs for loan contraction and the benchmarks for debt servicing.
09 February 2009
JCTR Applauds Government for Increasing Allocations to UNZA and CBU in the 2009 National Budget – Of concern however is the major reduction in the allocation to educational materials. Learning and teaching aids are essential in the enhancement of comprehensive education.
04 February 2009
JCTR Presents to the NCC Citizens’ demand for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights- This is a strong voice from many Zambians that strengthens the wishes of many Zambians expressed in the last three Constitutional Review Commissions. These wishes must be taken seriously by members of the NCC and government.
African Peer Review Mechanism in Zambia Must be Sharpened, says JCTR- Key to a successful APRM is widespread and intelligent citizens' participation. This participation can only be guaranteed if the process makes it possible for citizens to know about the process and how to participate. 06 January 2009
“Shall Zambia Continue Borrowing Without A Debt Management Policy?” It is important to recognise that borrowing in itself does not amount to poor economic management or luck of sound development strategy. What is of concern to JCTR, particularly in the Zambian context is the institutional arrangement under which that borrowing is taking place and the intention of that borrowing.
04 December 2008
Will Doha guarantee redress to global finance and development beyond Monterrey? Civil society groups from around the World gathered from 26 – 27 November 2008 in the state of Qatar, Doha, to review the implementation of the Financing for Development Consensus, leading to the Financing for Development Review Conference.
02 December 2008
About the BNB Press Releases
Press Releases are sent to many organisations, individuals, newspaper, radio and TV station news rooms. Contact us if you wish to be added to our mailing list for press releases.
Our press releases analyze the trends and implications
of a given months figures in the Basic Needs
Basket.
The cost of living – indeed the cost of surviving – is for most residents of Lusaka quite out of reach when the Basic Needs Basket is used as the norm.
Our Press Releases contribute towards uplifting people’s lives through exposing the household struggle in meeting basic needs. The Basic Needs Basket has prompted research into many issues whose results have been used in promoting actions that improve social capital.
