January 2011 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket: JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket Shows a Mixed Picture in 2010

Generally, the cost of living was relatively stable for the most part of the year with a sharp decline recorded in the cost of food in August 2010. This was attributed to significant reductions in the cost of mealie meal and dry foods such as kapenta and dry fish. However, the reduction in the cost of basic food was completely offset by a corresponding rise in the cost of electricity, a major household expenditure. Therefore, the overall cost of the BNB maintained an upward trend closing at K2,897,430 in December, a difference of K201,400 when compared to the January total BNB of K2,696,030.During this period, the JCTR continued to monitor the cost of living with a view to exposing the plight of the poor to policy-makers through its Basic Needs Basket (BNB). The BNB measures the cost of basic food items and essential non-food items for an average family of six in a specific town. A review of the Lusaka BNB for the year showed a mixed picture. At the beginning of the year, an increase in the cost of both food and non-food items were recorded with a higher increase recorded in non-food than basic food needs. The rise was mainly attributed to the average cost of a three bedroom house in medium density areas such as Kabwata, Libala and Chelstone from K1,100,000 to K1,500,000.Irish Aid and Joint Country Programm