Drought Crisis in Zambia: A National Disaster
Zambia, a country in southern Africa, has been hit hard by a severe drought, leading the government to declare it a national disaster. The drought has had a devastating impact on agriculture, affecting more than one million households. The situation is exacerbated by climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon, posing a threat to national food security, as well as water and energy supply.
Impact of the Drought on Agriculture
The lack of rain in Zambia has had a devastating impact on the agricultural sector. The country has experienced a dry spell for five weeks, a critical period for farmers. This has compounded the effects of another dry spell and flooding that occurred last year.
President Hakainde Hichilema in a televised national address from the capital, Lusaka, stated, “The destruction caused by the prolonged drought spell is immense.” The drought has already affected 84 of the country’s 116 districts.
Climate Change and El Nino
The crisis has been exacerbated by climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon. El Nino, which emerged in mid-2023, usually increases global temperatures for one year afterwards. It is currently fuelling fires and record heat across the world.
Threat to National Food Security
The drought crisis threatens national food security. Due to the influence of El Nino on the 2023-2024 rainy season, Zambia has lost one million hectares (2.5 million acres) from 2.2 million planted crops. Almost half of the nation’s “planted area” has been “destroyed.”
Measures to Address the Crisis
To address the crisis, the government has declared the drought a national disaster. This declaration allows for more resources to be allocated to tackle the crisis, with the drought expected to last well into March.
Humanitarian aid will be provided to ensure that people do not go hungry. In addition, the government has drawn up plans to import and ration electricity to keep the economy and industries running, especially the heavily power-dependent mines.
Impact on the Energy Sector
Zambia is highly reliant on hydroelectric power. The drought has put a strain on the energy sector, with the president predicting a deficit close to 450 megawatts or even above 500 megawatts this year.
Re-aligning the National Budget
The 2024 national budget will be re-aligned to channel more resources towards addressing the impact of the drought. The president stated that the current projections indicate that over a million farming households will be affected.
Zambia’s Debt Situation
Zambia defaulted three years ago and is currently trying to rework its debt under the G20 Common Framework. This is a programme designed to ensure swift and smooth debt overhauls for low-income nations.
Call for Support from Creditors
Given the dire situation, the president called on Zambia’s official and private creditors to quickly conclude its debt restructuring process. He stated, “If this process does not close, it’s not just an indictment on Zambia but the global system.”
