Welcome to our blog, where we highlight urgent global issues and the efforts being made to address them. In a recent statement, SCIAF, the international relief agency for the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, expressed concern about the nutrition crisis looming in Zambia. According to their staff members who have visited the country, there are alarming signs of widespread hunger and nutritional deficiencies.
The situation in Zambia has been described as dire by SCIAF aid worker Aisling Gallacher, who recently visited the country. With frequent droughts, floods, and heat waves plaguing Zambia, the country is facing its worst food crisis in decades. The agricultural season has been the driest in over 40 years, leading to devastating crop failures and livestock losses.
Drought Devastation in Zambia
Gallacher shared her shock at the barren landscapes she witnessed during her recent trip to Zambia. Dry maize fields stretched endlessly, painting a grim picture of the looming food shortages. The lack of rain and unpredictable climate patterns have made farming extremely challenging for the local communities.
President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia declared a national disaster and emergency due to the drought, affecting over 6.6 million people, including 3.5 million children, who are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) President, Archbishop Ignatius Chama, appealed for solidarity from local and international partners. The Church in Zambia, through Caritas Zambia, is working to support the government’s efforts to alleviate the crisis.
UN agencies have also warned of a looming crisis, with fears of a nutrition emergency in provinces with high levels of hunger and nutrient deficiencies if prompt action is not taken.
Alarming Statistics
A recent SMART survey revealed that more than half of households in Zambia are already facing moderate to severe hunger. The survey estimated that a significant number of children under the age of five and pregnant women are at risk of severe malnutrition in the coming months.
The crisis in Zambia is not isolated, as neighboring countries are also grappling with the impact of the drought. The situation calls for urgent and coordinated efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical situation and learn how you can contribute to the relief efforts in Zambia.
