Lusaka, 25 June 2024 – The European Union and UNICEF today signed a Cooperation Agreement for a total value of EUR 4,528,750 (approximately ZMW 125 million) to prevent severe nutrient deficiencies in Zambezi, Shang’ombo, Kalabo, Mongu, Choma and Monze Districts, which are among the most affected by the drought. This renewed commitment leverages the SUN-II alliance led by UNICEF and supported by key UN agencies, including WFP, WHO and FAO.
“The impact of drought on our communities has been devastating, affecting livelihoods, food security, and access to clean water. In these trying times, the support from the European Union is more than just financial assistance; it is a beacon of hope that reassures our people that they are not alone. Your aid will go a long way in alleviating the suffering and rebuilding the resilience of our communities” said Dr. Gabriel Pollen, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National Coordinator.
Thanks to this contribution, which will support the drought response led by the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ), about 89,741 women and children will benefit from food assistance, cash transfers, nutrient supplements as well as treatment of severe wasting, the deadliest form of malnutrition.
“Climate Change knows no borders, and its effects are felt across continents, making international cooperation not just beneficial, but essential. It is our collective responsibility to respond swiftly and effectively, to mitigate the impacts of this drought and to build a pathway towards resilience and more sustainable development in Zambia. The European Union calls for climate action and a concerted response to this historic drought, leaving no one behind. Climate change is real the drought serves as a wake-up call to act more decisive to adapt to and mitigate climate change. There is no time to lose and we need to act now.” stated Karolina Stasiak, Ambassador of the European Union to Zambia.
On 29 February 2024, a national state of emergency was declared because of the drought affecting large parts of Zambia, resulting from the onset of El Niño conditions and climate change. Overall, 84 districts in seven provinces are affected, and over 6.6 million people need humanitarian aid, including 3.5 million children.
“This drought requires concerted efforts. Far too many families in key affected districts are struggling to put food on their tables. There is evidence indicating that a nutrition crisis is likely to unfold in provinces where hunger and nutrients gaps are high if timely concrete prevention actions are not taken now. Therefore, we cannot thank the European Union enough for taking a very important step in the right direction. Your support is very timely, and it will greatly contribute to improve the lives of pregnant and lactating mothers and children under five”, said Beatrice Mutali, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia.
The May 2024, SMART survey findings released last week, which assessed nutritional status and nutritional risk factors in 6 Provinces found that more than half of households are already experiencing moderate to severe hunger. An estimated 51,948 children under the age of five in the 84 drought-affected districts in Zambia are expected to fall into severe wasting – the deadliest form of malnutrition – within the next 12 months. Another 276,000 children under age five will have moderate wasting. The SMART survey also found that almost 112,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are estimated to have wasting over the same period, with nearly 13,000 suffering from the most severe form. Notably, having been conducted in a period of expected harvest, the SMART survey data indicates that without immediate and adequate action, a nutrition crisis among children below 5 may unfold in Western, Southern, Central and North-Western provinces of Zambia.
Scaling Up Nutrition Phase (SUN Phase II) is an initiative aiming at reducing stunting of children under 2 by 7% in 17 districts of Zambia. SUN-II Programme is a multi-sectoral nutrition programme supporting the GRZ’s national flagship Most Critical Days Programme (MCDP-II) for stunting reduction. The SUN-II is jointly funded by the UK Government, the Swedish Government (SIDA), the German Government (BMZ/KfW), the Government of Ireland (Irish Aid) and the European Union. UNICEF, in partnership with FAO, WHO and WFP, focus on the multisectoral approach for maximizing nutrition impact involving health, WASH, agriculture (including livestock and fisheries) and food security, Early Childhood Development (ECD) and social protection.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Maseko, National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lusaka: masekom@un.org; +260 955767062 Mweemba Nchimunya, Press & Information Officer, EU Delegation to Zambia & COMESA: nchimunya.Mweemba@eeas.europa.eu ; +260 970007092