Sometime in February, 2024 H.E president Hakainde Hichilema  declared the country’s drought a national disaster and emergency. In an address to the nation, he stated that, the drought that has affected 84 of the country’s 116 districts, has destroyed about 1 million hectares of the 2.2 million hectares planted with the staple maize crop and the devastating consequences have also affected other sectors such as water availability and energy supply risking our national food security and the livelihoods of millions of our people.

To address the immediate and long-term challenges posed by the dry spell, the government has so far implemented key interventions such as channeling more resources to humanitarian relief efforts, sourcing additional maize and other food, encouraging farmers across the country to embark on planting early and winter maize through various forms of irrigation, increasing the number  of beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer program administered by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare and importing additional electricity.

President Hichilema called on both local and international partners to provide food and other support to meet the needs of the affected population. Here is a list of key developmental partners that have provided substantive response and assistance to support Zambia in this endeavor.

1. BURUNDI

During his visit to Zambia, President Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi announced that The Government of Burundi dispatched five-thousand metric (5000) tones of Maize, Rice and Beans to Zambia. President Ndayishimiye stated during his address to parliament on 2^nd August, 2024 that the gesture was a measure of the bilateral relations, between his country and the Republic of Zambia.

2. UNICEF AND SUN- II ALLIANCE

 Led by UNICEF and supported by key UN agencies, including WFP, WHO and FAO, the SUN –II ALLIANCE-which is the  UK Government, the Swedish Government (SIDA), the German Government , the Government of Ireland (Irish Aid) and the European Union signed a Cooperation Agreement for a total value of EUR 4,528,750 (approximately ZMW 125 million) to prevent severe nutrient deficiencies in Zambezi, Shang’ombo, Kalabo, Mongu, Choma and Monze Districts, which are among the most affected by the drought. The contribution is expected to benefit 89,741 women and children from the affected areas.

3. USAID

On 28^th June,2024  the United States government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it will provide $66.8 million (ZMW 2.6 billion) to Zambia to address the current drought, strengthen food security, and build economic and climate resilience in the country. As part of the $66.8 million in assistance, USAID will provide $20 million (ZMW 515 million) in urgent humanitarian assistance, including life-saving food, cash, and agricultural assistance through implementing partners. In addition, USAID intends to provide $32.3 million (ZMW 836 million) to continue to accelerate development across various sectors in Zambia, including $11 million (ZMW 285 million) in climate adaptation programming and $12 million (ZMW 310 million) to help create a policy environment that fuels job and income-generating business, trade, and investment, and is responsive to economic and climate shocks as well as good governance.

4. JAPAN

The Government of Japan decided to extend an Emergency Grant Aid of 2.5 million US dollars as part of its humanitarian assistance to Zambia and Namibia through the United Nations World Food Programme(WFP) this announcement was made through their official Embassy website in Lusaka, Zambia. 

5. CHINA

Speaking during a Symposium in Lusaka that was held on 29^th March, 2024 the Chinese Charge d Affairs Mr. Wang Sheng stated that The Chinese Government will assist Zambia with emergency food to respond to the effects of the prolonged dry spell on national food security once engagements with officials in China are concluded. In a separate event, Chargé d’Affaires  Mr. Wang also stated that as an urgent response to H.E. President Hakainde Hichilema’s declaration of drought as  a National Disaster And Emergency , the drilling boreholes project in Monze and donation of mealie meal worth over ZMW 130,000.00 is clear demonstration of the determination and efficiency of China when actions are urgently needed to come to the rescue of its brothers and sisters in Zambia, and the deep-rooted friendship and trust that exists between the two countries.

6. United Nations (UN)

The United Nations (UN) through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) activated an allocation of up to $5.5 million to support Zambia’s response to an unprecedented drought. The Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Zambia, Penelope Campbell,  welcomed the support from CERF and underscored commitment by the United Nations in helping Zambia respond to the drought emergency . According to Mr.  Mark Maseko- UNIC National Information Officer, The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is one of the fastest and most effective ways to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian assistance reaches people caught up in crises. The main 10 donors to CERF are the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Canada, USA, Belgium and Italy.

In conclusion, Zambia’s positive partnerships with international organizations, foreign governments and non-governmental organizations have been extremely crucial in addressing the short-term and long-term negative impacts of the Drought.  We, commend President Hichilema, the Zambian Government and its developmental Partners for its substantive response and assistance to support the people of Zambia most especially the over 89,741 women and children during this National Disaster.