Instead of getting smaller, or at least not increasing, the problem of orphanhood is increasing rapidly. Between 1996 and 1998, there was a national increase of over fifteen percent in the number of orphans. This was a very large increase in such a short time. The situation was even worse in the Southern Province where there was a thirty percent increase. The orphans and vulnerable children situation in Zambia is of such magnitude that it poses a national challenge which few other countries have had to face.
Orphans suffer more deprivations than non-orphaned children.
They may receive less food than others or be segregated at meal times. They are more likely not to be enrolled in school and not to have exercise books or pencils.