As crops fail, Church in Zambia joins the government in appealing for solidarity.

Paul Samasumo – Vatican City.

Faced with a drought crisis, the result of El Niño and climate change, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, on 1 March, declared the country’s situation a national disaster and emergency. 

“Today, with a heavy heart, we address you as our beloved country faces a severe drought, the worst of its kind, caused by the El Niño weather,” Hichilema told Zambians in a national address. 

Analysts say it is the worst drought in forty years. The President said the declaration would enable a rapid response and focus the nation’s efforts on the devastating effects of the dry spell.

The most affected areas are also the nation’s traditional agriculture regions. Zambia’s agriculture depends heavily on rainfed farming.

President Hakainde Hichilema

Crops are withering, and water points are dry

Archbishop Chama has called for local and international support to supplement what the Government is doing.

“Most of those affected will be those living in rural areas. They will be the most affected…Thus, our country, Zambia, is headed for a real disaster and a food security crisis that needs the support of the international community and all of us within the country. The Catholic Church, through its department of Caritas Zambia and partners, looks forward to being part of those who will be in solidarity with the people of Zambia as they face the looming food deficit,” said the Zambian prelate.

Besides a threatened national food security, water and energy supply concerns have become urgent. It has not rained in Zambia for weeks on end. 

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reacting to the declaration said the most affected are small-scale farmers who depend on rainfed cropping, livestock keepers and all community members who rely on natural water bodies and shallow wells for water.

Crops, especially maize, legumes, ground nuts, millet, sorghum, and others, are withering in Zambia due to insufficient moisture content. Water points are drying up, making it difficult for people to access safe and clean water for domestic consumption. The pasture is drying up, making it difficult for livestock. The Price of food items and other essential commodities have continued to rise.

UNICEF: There is no time to waste

For Zambia, it has been one crisis after another. While still grappling with the lingering economic effects of Covid-19 and ongoing debt restructuring, the country has just emerged from a deadly cholera outbreak. Some Zambians have referenced the coronavirus outbreaks, cholera and the current drought as a “triple tragedy.” 

On Monday, 4 March, UNICEF in Zambia expressed concern, especially for the fate of children in Zambia, who it said are already at risk of increased vulnerability.

“Climate change is taking a toll on children and youth in Zambia. We started the year responding to a cholera outbreak that has affected children across the country disproportionally, while the current drought threatens to worsen that situation by increasing the vulnerabilities of more than three million children. There is no time to waste. UNICEF, in close coordination with the UN family and partners, is supporting the Government to provide immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining assistance to the affected population, with a special focus on children and their families, while we strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Penelope Campbell, Representative, UNICEF Zambia.