Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has disclosed that the country urgently needs K22.2 billion, equivalent to US$889.4 million.
Making a drought response appeal to local and international cooperating partners in Lusaka on 16 April, Mr. Hichilema explained that to effectively implement immediate life-saving and life-sustaining humanitarian and recovery needs, a total of K23.5 billion ($940.6 million) is urgently required.
“Of this amount, K1.3 billion, equivalent to $51.2 million is available, leaving a financing gap of K22.2 billion, equivalent to $889.4 million.”
Breaking down the needs, Mr. Hichilema said K12.6 billion was needed for immediate food assistance out of which K28.3 million was available, leaving a gap of about K12.54 billion.
The other area is the expansion of the school feeding program, which needs K784 million while K2.5 billion was required in the health sector.
“To protect the integrity and well-being of children under five as well as pregnant women and new mothers, their nutrition will require K532 million,” stated the head of state.
Other highlighted areas include water resources development and management, agricultural production and resilience building, and livestock and wildlife preservation and well-being. The funding gaps for these are K2.4 billion, K2.5 billion, and K1.5 billion, respectively.
On 29 February, President Hichilema declared a national disaster and emergency in Zambia after a prolonged drought that has affected a million hectares of cultivated maize across 84 of the country’s 116 districts, leaving 9.8 million people affected, out of whom 6.6 million urgently need humanitarian assistance.
“To respond to the adverse effects of the drought, emphasis is being placed on the provision of food assistance to the people in need, as well as interventions for early recovery and resilience building, going forward.”
Mr. Hichilema described this as a truly difficult situation for the country.
“With a heavy heart, on behalf of our government and the people of Zambia, we hereby appeal to the international community, our partners within the country, the private sector, the church, and civil society organizations to support our plan financially and materially in mitigating the devasting effects of the drought.”