December 2000 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: Year 2000 Winds Up With a Very High Increase in Cost of Food Basket, Observes JCTR

The food basket looks at the cost of items for a family of six in Lusaka, such as mealie meal, sugar, tea, vegetables, eggs, etc. If we include non-food items necessary for human survival such health, transport, water, electricity, education, etc., the cost would even be much higher.As we approach the end of the year 2000, there is much discussion about the state of Zambia's economy. The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) notes that a key topic of discussion is the significance of Zambia's. qualification for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, especially as to how it will benefit the poor in the country. Another central focus of attention has been the dramatic depreciation of the Kwacha against major currencies such as the US dollar and the British Pound Sterling and the consequence of this for business stability.Irish Aid and Joint Country Programm