World Vision Zambia Calls for Urgent Investment in School Nutrition and WASH
Following the 11th Africa Day of School Feeding, World Vision Zambia has called on the Government to urgently scale up investments in school feeding, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and climate-resilient agriculture to safeguard the health and future of Zambian children.
The continent celebrated the milestone from 28 February to 1 March 2026 under the theme: “Ensuring Access to Nutritious Meals, Clean Water and Hygiene: Promoting Safety and Resilience in Every School Meal Investment.” While the commemorations have concluded, the organisation stresses that the need for immediate action remains critical.
Zambia’s Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) Programme currently reaches over five million learners. The 2026 budget increase to K542.9 million, aimed at extending coverage to 6.6 million learners, along with a K100 million allocation for school production units, demonstrates strong political commitment.
However, challenges remain. Gerald Kaputo, Associate Director for Advocacy at World Vision Zambia, warns that without climate-smart interventions, fluctuating agricultural yields could undermine nutritional gains.
“Nutritious meals alone cannot guarantee health. With 21% of schools lacking basic water services and nearly 10,000 schools without any water access, we risk undoing the progress achieved,” he said.
Other pressing issues include inadequate sanitation, with 17% of schools lacking sex-segregated toilets, affecting adolescent girls’ dignity and attendance. The 2026 WASH allocation of K2.6 billion represents just 1% of total government expenditure, far below the 5% commitment target.
To address these gaps, World Vision Zambia recommends:
- Closing the Funding Gap – fully fund school feeding programmes and ensure timely budget release.
- Strengthening Sustainability – expand school production units and gardens to supply local, sustainable food sources.
- Promoting Climate Resilience – support biofortified crops such as orange maize, Mbereshi beans, and sorghum.
- Investing in WASH Infrastructure – increase funding for solar-powered boreholes and irrigation to support hygiene and school-based agriculture.
- Enhancing Accountability – improve oversight in decentralised procurement to ensure food reaches intended beneficiaries.
With Zambia set to host the Global Child Nutrition Forum in November 2026, World Vision Zambia highlights a unique opportunity for the nation to showcase a holistic model of school health.
“Reflections from Africa Day of School Feeding must now translate into tangible results. Sustained investment today will build a healthier, more resilient, and prosperous Zambia for tomorrow,” added Mr Kaputo.
