Low levels of public health make communities in Western Zambia extremely vulnerable to disease. Cyclical floods and droughts further increase this vulnerability. Following flooding in 2006-07, assessments in Mongu and Kaoma showed that most people lacked access to safe drinking water. Less than 5 per cent of people were using safe latrines. With climate change, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe and so periods of increased vulnerability to disease are getting longer.

Oxfam is funding the construction of new wells and latrines. We are training committees so that repairs can be funded and training local people so that they have the trade skills to maintain and repair water systems themselves. Traditional beliefs and cultural practices have not always been conducive to desirable levels of hygiene. Oxfam is promoting safe hygiene practices in a culturally appropriate way that is community-led.