Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has taken action in response to the prolonged drought gripping the country by declaring a national disaster.
In an address to the nation on Thursday, President Hichilema highlighted that 84 out of Zambia’s 116 districts are grappling with the effects of the drought.
The country has been grappling with scarce rainfall, raising concerns about potential food shortages and a strain on electricity supply, as a significant portion of Zambia’s energy is hydroelectric.
Water levels at the Kariba Dam, a key source of hydroelectric power for both Zambia and Zimbabwe, have plummeted to around 11.5% of usable storage as of December last year.
The president emphasized that the drought would hamper the generation of more than 450 megawatts of electricity and impact nearly half of the land used for agricultural purposes.
To address the looming crisis, President Hichilema pledged to augment food supplies by importing additional maize and other essentials.
He also announced plans to mobilize Zambia’s defence forces to aid in relief efforts and implement long-term strategies to combat drought.
Furthermore, President Hichilema called on farmers to adopt irrigation techniques to mitigate the effects of the dry spell, which has already impacted around one million farmers across the nation.
In a collaborative approach, the president affirmed his government’s commitment to working with various stakeholders, including opposition leaders and religious institutions, to address the crisis.
The severity of the situation has been evident on social media, with numerous posts depicting parched fields and failing crops, underscoring the urgent need for action.