In a recent announcement, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema declared the country's ongoing drought a national disaster and emergency. The devastating drought has severely impacted food production and electricity generation, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the nation in the aftermath of a deadly cholera outbreak.
Attributed in part to the worsening El Nino weather pattern and climate change, Zambia, like its neighboring countries, is grappling with the effects of a severe drought. President Hichilema emphasized the urgent need for action, instructing security forces to prioritize food production in the country.
According to the President, 84 out of Zambia's 116 districts have been affected by the prolonged drought, leading to significant crop losses. To address the food scarcity, authorities are planning to redistribute excess food from certain areas to those in need, in addition to increasing food imports and seeking assistance from United Nations agencies and local businesses.
The drought has resulted in the destruction of approximately half of the maize crop planted in the country, posing a threat to national food security and the livelihoods of millions of Zambians. The situation is projected to worsen, with the dry spell expected to continue into March, affecting over a million farming households.
Furthermore, the drought has also impacted electricity generation in Zambia, with a projected power deficit of up to 520 megawatts by December. To mitigate the effects, the country plans to import electricity and implement rationing measures to manage the supply for its population of around 20 million people.
Zambia's recent struggles, including the cholera outbreak that claimed hundreds of lives, have led to growing concerns among the population. Some citizens have referred to the combination of the coronavirus pandemic, cholera outbreak, and the current drought as a 'triple tragedy.'
While Zambia has declared a national disaster, other countries in southern Africa are also facing dire circumstances due to the impact of El Nino weather patterns. The World Food Program has highlighted severe drought conditions in parts of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Angola, and Mozambique, with significant rainfall shortages recorded.
According to the United States Agency for International Development, an estimated 20 million people in southern Africa will require food relief between January and March. The agency warns that individuals in high-risk areas, such as Zimbabwe, southern Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar, may struggle to feed themselves until early 2025 due to the effects of El Nino.
