Zambia has officially declared the ongoing drought a national disaster, as President Hakainde Hichilema announced that the prolonged absence of rain has severely impacted the agricultural sector, causing distress for over one million families.
President Hichilema conveyed this message during a televised national address from the capital, Lusaka, highlighting the critical five-week period without rainfall, coinciding with the crucial time for farmers.
This situation has further exacerbated the challenges stemming from a previous dry spell and flooding that afflicted the nation last year.
“The destruction caused by the prolonged drought spell is immense,” he said. The dry spell has already affected 84 of the country’s 116 districts.
Exacerbated by climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon, the crisis threatens national food security, as well as water and energy supply, Hichilema said. Zambia is highly reliant on hydroelectric power.
The enacted measure allocates additional resources to tackle the ongoing crisis, recognizing that the drought is anticipated to persist well into March.
Attributed to the influence of El Niño on the 2023-2024 rainy season, Zambia has experienced a loss of one million hectares (2.5 million acres) out of 2.2 million planted crops, resulting in the destruction of nearly half of the nation’s planted area, as emphasized by President Hichilema.
In response to this dire situation, humanitarian aid will be provided to prevent hunger, and the president urged collaborative efforts from partners to extend relief beyond just grain. Additionally, Zambia has devised plans to import and carefully ration electricity to sustain the economy and crucial industries, particularly the power-dependent mining sector.
