LAST rainy season, Zambia experienced the worst drought in about four decades, which has had profound social and economic impacts on the country and its citizens.
The drought led to widespread crop failures, significantly reducing food availability.
As agriculture is a major part of Zambia’s economy, the drought has devastated crop yields, leading to significant income losses for farmers and agricultural businesses.
Zambia relies heavily on hydropower, and the drought has reduced water levels in reservoirs, leading to power shortages and disruptions.
Many families are struggling to maintain their income sources as livestock and crops failed. This has increased poverty levels and economic hardship across the country.
But despite this gloomy picture, Government is doing all it can to ensure that no-one starves to death as a result of the effects of the drought.
Government has implemented several interventions to cushion the adverse impacts of drought on vulnerable populations.
It has channelled more resources into humanitarian relief, providing food aid and essential supplies to affected communities.
Efforts have also been made to rehabilitate water infrastructure, such as handpumps and boreholes, to ensure access to safe and clean water.
Hygiene promotion campaigns have also been launched to prevent water-borne diseases.
It is no wonder United Nations (UN) in Zambia yesterday showered accolades on the country’s leadership for its well-coordinated efforts in cushioning the adverse impacts of disasters such as drought on citizens.
UN resident coordinator Beatrice Mutali acknowledged Government’s leadership in putting measures in place to ensure that women, children, the aged, and people with disabilities are cushioned against the effects of the drought.
Indeed, Government deserves commendation for its interventions. In collaboration with organisations like UNICEF, Government has focused on providing health
services, including distributing vitamin A supplements, deworming treatments, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
Pregnant women receive micronutrient support to prevent severe health complications.
Government has further enhanced the Social Cash Transfer programme with the aim of reducing extreme poverty by providing financial assistance to most vulnerable families.
It also is importing additional electricity, rationing energy use, and promoting alternative energy sources. Additionally, efforts are being made to expand irrigation schemes to increase food production.
Government is also implementing the Food for Work (FFW) programme, which is designed to provide food assistance to vulnerable populations in exchange for their labour on community projects.
The primary goal of the FFW programme is to offer a safety net for food-insecure households while simultaneously improving community infrastructure.
Participants work on projects such as clearing drainages, building roads, constructing water points, and other public works.
The programme is typically implemented in areas severely affected by drought or other disasters.
It targets vulnerable households that are not covered by other social protection programmes like Social Cash Transfer and Expanded Social Cash Transfer initiatives.
Participants in the FFW programme engage in labourintensive activities and receive food or money as compensation.
This approach helps ensure that families have access to essential food supplies while contributing to the development of their communities.
The projects under the FFW programme are chosen based on their potential to benefit the community.
This includes constructing or rehabilitating infrastructure such as community roads, drainage systems, and drinking water points.
The FFW programme is a crucial intervention for addressing food insecurity and enhancing community resilience in Zambia, especially in the face of recurring droughts.
UN accolades on Govt well deserved
LAST rainy season, Zambia experienced the worst drought in about four decades, which has had profound social and economic impacts on the country and its citizens.
The drought led to widespread crop failures, significantly reducing food availability.
As agriculture is a major part of Zambia’s economy, the drought has devastated crop yields, leading to significant income losses for farmers and agricultural businesses.
Zambia relies heavily on hydropower, and the drought has reduced water levels in reservoirs, leading to power shortages and disruptions.
Many families are struggling to maintain their income sources as livestock and crops failed. This has increased poverty levels and economic hardship across the country.
But despite this gloomy picture, Government is doing all it can to ensure that no-one starves to death as a result of the effects of the drought.
Government has implemented several interventions to cushion the adverse impacts of drought on vulnerable populations.
It has channelled more resources into humanitarian relief, providing food aid and essential supplies to affected communities.
Efforts have also been made to rehabilitate water infrastructure, such as handpumps and boreholes, to ensure access to safe and clean water.
Hygiene promotion campaigns have also been launched to prevent water-borne diseases.
It is no wonder United Nations (UN) in Zambia yesterday showered accolades on the country’s leadership for its well-coordinated efforts in cushioning the adverse impacts of disasters such as drought on citizens.
UN resident coordinator Beatrice Mutali acknowledged Government’s leadership in putting measures in place to ensure that women, children, the aged, and people with disabilities are cushioned against the effects of the drought.
Indeed, Government deserves commendation for its interventions. In collaboration with organisations like UNICEF, Government has focused on providing health
services, including distributing vitamin A supplements, deworming treatments, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding.
Pregnant women receive micronutrient support to prevent severe health complications.
Government has further enhanced the Social Cash Transfer programme with the aim of reducing extreme poverty by providing financial assistance to most vulnerable families.
It also is importing additional electricity, rationing energy use, and promoting alternative energy sources. Additionally, efforts are being made to expand irrigation schemes to increase food production.
Government is also implementing the Food for Work (FFW) programme, which is designed to provide food assistance to vulnerable populations in exchange for their labour on community projects.
The primary goal of the FFW programme is to offer a safety net for food-insecure households while simultaneously improving community infrastructure.
Participants work on projects such as clearing drainages, building roads, constructing water points, and other public works.
The programme is typically implemented in areas severely affected by drought or other disasters.
It targets vulnerable households that are not covered by other social protection programmes like Social Cash Transfer and Expanded Social Cash Transfer initiatives.
Participants in the FFW programme engage in labourintensive activities and receive food or money as compensation.
This approach helps ensure that families have access to essential food supplies while contributing to the development of their communities.
The projects under the FFW programme are chosen based on their potential to benefit the community.
This includes constructing or rehabilitating infrastructure such as community roads, drainage systems, and drinking water points.
The FFW programme is a crucial intervention for addressing food insecurity and enhancing community resilience in Zambia, especially in the face of recurring droughts.