The Zambian government has begun distributing relief food to regions affected by a severe drought, Information and Media Minister and Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, announced on Monday.
This relief effort follows the approval of a comprehensive food security drought response plan for the period from April 2024 to May 2025. The government, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has initiated both cash and in-kind support across 84 of the country’s 116 districts, which have been severely impacted by the drought.
In a statement issued after a recent cabinet meeting, Mweetwa stated, “Cabinet appreciated the report from the Office of the Vice-President, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, indicating that 84.5 percent of the 84 districts have received maize for the targeted beneficiaries under the maize distribution programme.”
The drought, declared a national disaster and emergency in February 2024, was caused by poor rains during the 2023/2024 farming season. This climatic anomaly has significantly reduced crop production, leaving over six million people in urgent need of food assistance.
In April, Zambia made an international humanitarian appeal, seeking assistance to mitigate the crisis. Mweetwa expressed optimism about the response from international partners, stating that cooperating entities have started responding to the appeal. He conveyed hope that the collective efforts would suffice to meet the nation’s humanitarian needs.
The government’s swift action underscores the severity of the drought’s impact and its commitment to ensuring that affected populations receive the necessary support. This crisis highlights the pressing need for long-term strategies to bolster food security and mitigate the effects of climate change in the region.
As Zambia navigates through this challenging period, international support remains crucial to stabilise the food security situation and prevent further humanitarian distress. The successful execution of the relief plan will be vital in alleviating the immediate suffering of millions and laying the groundwork for future resilience.
