Zambia has declared a state of national disaster and emergency due to a devastating drought (AP, Reuters). Last week, President Hakainde Hichilema addressed the nation, highlighting the severe impact on food production and electricity generation, attributed in part to climate change and the El Niño weather pattern. “This drought has devastating consequences on many sectors such as agriculture, water availability and energy supply, risking our national food security and the livelihoods of millions of our people. The dry spell is projected to continue even into the month of March, affecting over 1 million of our farming households,” said Hichilema (AP). 

With 84 out of the country’s 116 districts affected, the government plans to redistribute food from surplus areas, import more, and collaborate with international agencies and local businesses for assistance (AP). Hichilema announced plans to import and ration electricity as hydropower, the country's primary power source, is expected to be significantly affected. The energy sector anticipates a deficit of up to 500 megawatts this year due to declining water levels at the Kariba Dam. (Reuters). Zambia has been struggling with debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework for the past three years. Hichilema urged both official and private creditors to expedite the debt restructuring process, emphasizing the urgency of the situation (Reuters).

Hichilema also called on multilateral development agencies and donor countries to provide humanitarian support, particularly in terms of food assistance. Several entities, including Britain, the United Nations, and the World Bank, have pledged to aid Zambia in addressing these challenges (Reuters).