Government Reintegrates Nearly 7,000 Children from Zambia's Streets

The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has reintegrated 6,896 children from the streets into family homes across Zambia over the past five years.

Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer Glenda Nachinga said the children comprised 75 percent boys and 25 percent girls. She said the Ministry had continued running outreach and rescue operations through the Child Protection Unit, removing children from the streets and placing them in safe environments.

Ms Nachinga said the Ministry was also providing temporary shelter and rehabilitation services at facilities including Chikumbi Children's Home in Lusaka and Mufulira Children's Home on the Copperbelt.

She said rehabilitation programmes covered psychosocial and trauma counselling, sports activities, family tracing and reintegration, educational support, and school re-enrolment.

The Ministry was working with cooperating partners such as Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) and the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to deliver vocational and life skills training, she added.

Ms Nachinga acknowledged ongoing challenges, including a shortage of rehabilitation and transit centres and weak family support systems.