The World Bank has announced a substantial grant for Zambia aimed at mitigating the devastating effects of the worst drought in four decades that has left over 1.6 million vulnerable citizens in dire straits.
World Bank country manager for Zambia, Achim Fock said on Wednesday that the funding would bolster Zambia’s Scaling-up Shock Responsive Social Protection Project (SSRSP AF2), enabling an expansion of its social cash transfer programme that currently supports approximately 8.5 million individuals – 40 percent of the nation’s population – across 84 districts ravaged by drought.
He said the International Development Association grant totals an equivalent of US$200 million sourced from the Bank’s Crisis Response Window and would include a grant of US$7.6 million from the Zambia Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods Multi-donor Trust Fund.
“This additional financing is a critical intervention in our efforts to support those most affected by the drought in Zambia,” Fock said.
World Bank senior social protection specialist for Zambia, Nadia Selim said in addition to offering direct financial relief to affected prople, the project would also aim to fortify the country’s institutional framework and service delivery mechanisms within its social protection sector.
“This financing aims to mitigate the escalating impacts of the drought by ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive timely and effective support,” said Nadia Selim, World Bank Senior Social Protection Specialist for Zambia.
Zambia is experiencing one of the worst droughts in more than 40 years, which has resulted in a poor harvest during the just-ended 2023/24 agricultural season, increased livestock deaths and worsening poverty.
Over nine million people in 84 out of the 117 districts are affected, according to the government crop assessment data.
Food shortages and rising food commodity prices are hindering access to food by vulnerable peoples, especially in rural areas where the level of poverty remains high.
JN/APA