Govt Calls for Stakeholder Collaboration Amidst Hunger Crisis
The Zambian government has urged stakeholders to collaborate in addressing poverty and vulnerability, especially during the ongoing hunger crisis exacerbated by drought.
Acting Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Brenda Tambatamba, highlighted the critical food and nutrition insecurity due to the dry spells experienced during the 2023/24 farming season.
During the 2024 Social Protection Joint Annual Review Stakeholder Conference, Ms. Tambatamba assured attendees that the government is aware of the significant challenges in reducing poverty, which have been intensified by the high cost of essential commodities.
She announced that 952,570 newly registered households are receiving a monthly Emergency Cash Transfer of K400 for 12 months. This phased response targets 726,516 households in 84 districts first, followed by 226,054 households in 32 price-shock affected districts.
“The Emergency Cash Transfer, Cash For Work Programme, Emergency Food Security Pack, and the importation of 650,000 metric tonnes will boost purchasing power and improve food and nutrition security,” Ms. Tambatamba stated.
UNICEF Country Representative, Dr. Penelope Campbell, acknowledged the severe impact of the drought on household income and food security, and pledged the UN’s continued support in strengthening Zambia’s social protection systems.
Mr. Maximillian Bwalya, representing the Social Protection Corporation Partners group, praised Zambia for its progress in expanding social protection access, noting that the social cash transfer program is one of the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He called for increased investments in social protection to better respond to climate change, future pandemics, and other shocks.
