‘High cost of living hitting the poor hardest’

By NATION REPORTER 

THE Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has said the high cost of living is detrimental for the poor and vulnerable citizens because it has widened the existing inequalities among those living in the poor bracket. 

CSPR executive director Faides Tembatemba says the escalating cost of living has negative effects on the poor and vulnerable citizens as it has worsened existing inequalities and made it more difficult for vulnerable populations to meet their basic needs and improve their quality of life.

According to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) monthly Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket for  July, the cost of living for a family of five, for the month in Lusaka stood at K9, 301.18 in comparison to the recorded figure of K9, 047.31 in January 2023.

Ms. Tembatemba said due to the high levels of inequality, the government’s reported progressive track performance on economic management and social policy have had little to no impact on poverty and vulnerability on both rural and urban households. 

“All the recorded successes are now drowning in the high levels of unemployment and poverty,” Ms Tembatemba said.

She said what was also disheartening was that some senior government officials had continued to mock the poor whenever citizens and interest groups raise a red flag on how life was becoming expensive for both the middle working and non-working class.

Ms Tembatemba said it was high time the government came up with a comprehensive and well-coordinated approach to reducing poverty in Zambia.

Ms. Tembatemba said government should not lose sight of the fact that poverty and vulnerability reduction in line with the 8th National Development Plan, was an important benchmark for economic transformation.

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