Environment
We formulated an Integrated Water Resources Management strategy for the Zambezi River Basin covering Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia. One of the main outputs was a comprehensive, easily accessible and up-to-date Zambezi Water information system with distributed access for the eight countries, and a report showing the available water resources in the basin and key issues and challenges to integrated water resources management.
Water
We recently prepared investment plans focusing on water and sanitation investment in three commercial utilities in the Copperbelt region for urban water and sanitation expansion, and rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure.
In Lusaka, we carried out a pre-feasibility study to help investment plans for the upgrade/rehabilitation of the two largest wastewater treatment plants in the city. The study looked at the feasible technical options, recommended solutions, assessed the financial state of the local water authority, considered social and environmental impacts and looked at the impact of the tariff structure in place. The sustainability of any expansion and rehabilitation works was a key factor that was taken into consideration so that the future works could be maintained by the eventual beneficiary and local water authority, Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company.
Health
We are providing an evaluation of the Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment Programme which aims to improve sexual and reproductive health for poor and vulnerable adolescent girls. The programme uses the ‘Safe Spaces’ model where girls can learn and develop social networks. We will evaluate if the programme has been well implemented and if is it the most efficient approach to empower adolescent girls.
In order to reduce vulnerability to HIV infection and mitigate the social and economic consequences of HIV, we led the design and management of a programme to strengthen the response to AIDS within Zambia. The programme provided technical assistance to the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Zambia to help it build management systems and procedures including organisational, planning, monitoring, evaluation and documentation systems. The programme also supported participation of civil society and the private sector in the national HIV response.