Zambia Declares Drought National Disaster, Seeks Aid
“It's a triple tragedy — COVID-19, cholera and now drought,” he Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
LUSAKA, Zambia — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has declared a national disaster over a drought that has wilted crops across the southern African nation, calling for local and international assistance, writes Kennedy Phiri.
Hichilema said nearly half of Zambia’s typical maize crop has failed across six of 10 provinces and 84 of 116 districts.
About 1 million smallholder farming households have been affected.
“We call on local and international partners to avail any excess food that is maize and other food stuffs,” Hichilema said in a national address.
The Zambian leader blamed the “severe” drought on El Niño climatic conditions and said it is impacting food security and electricity generation capacity, among other effects.
Hichilema said the drought was “influenced by climate change” and has come amid other crises like COVID-19 and cholera outbreaks.
“It's a triple tragedy — COVID-19, cholera and now drought,” he said.
Hichilema said the government would reallocate resources to drought relief and response efforts, including irrigation investments.
He also urged official and private creditors to help Zambia finalize its debt restructuring program to enable greater financial stability.
At least seven southern African countries face crop failures due to drought.