"Dire Drought in Zambia Imperils Food Security for Millions, Minister Warns"

Zambia's minister issues a dire warning as a severe drought threatens the food security of millions in the country. The crisis underscores the urgent need for action to address the impending hunger crisis.

Collins Nzovu suggests that the challenges faced by the country are a preview of the disasters that will become more prevalent in the region as climate change intensifies.

Zambia is currently grappling with a severe drought, posing a significant threat of hunger to millions of individuals.The prolonged drought is also leading to extended power outages and causing extensive damage to the country's social structure and economy, according to the environment minister.

This situation serves as a warning sign for the region, indicating the potential consequences of the escalating climate crisis. Collins Nzovu emphasized that the ongoing "crippling drought" underscores the imminent catastrophe facing developing nations due to climate change.

Despite this urgent need, wealthier nations have been notably lacking in providing adequate financial assistance to the most affected regions. Nzovu highlighted the drastic reduction in rainfall this year, resulting in a substantial crop failure and exacerbating food insecurity.

The reliance of many on maize and agriculture for their livelihoods makes them particularly vulnerable to the threat of starvation and famine.

In February, crucial rainfall was absent, particularly during the critical "tasselling" stage of maize growth, significantly diminishing the prospects of salvaging the staple crop. According to Nzovu, the absence of rainfall during this period exacerbated the situation significantly. With dwindling food reserves and neighboring countries also grappling with drought impacts, importing food has become increasingly challenging. 

Normally a food surplus exporter, Zambia now faces uncertainty in meeting its own needs, let alone those of neighboring nations like Malawi, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moreover, Zambia heavily relies on hydroelectricity, which has been severely affected by the drought, leading to widespread power outages lasting up to eight hours or more. This drought follows a series of damaging floods that had already weakened the country's infrastructure.

Zambia's president, Hakainde Hichilema, has declared a national disaster and implemented stringent water usage restrictions. Additionally, the country aims to shift focus from maize cultivation towards crops like cassava and sorghum, which are more resilient to drought.

Nzovu expressed that Zambia's challenges serve as a preview of what may increasingly affect the region due to climate change. He emphasized observable climate change indicators, asserting the undeniable shift in climate conditions.

In early June, nations will convene in Bonn under UN auspices for initial discussions on a new financial framework to address the climate crisis. This process will lead up to the Cop29 summit in Azerbaijan in November, where countries are expected to outline a new collective financial objective to provide substantial climate finance annually to developing nations.

However, negotiations are facing significant challenges. Several countries, including the United States and the European Union, are amidst election campaigns, with politicians wary of potential repercussions for climate initiatives. Disagreements persist regarding the provision, funding sources, and recipients of climate finance.

Nzovu stressed the urgent need for progress on this issue, cautioning that without substantial and affordable financing from developed nations, vulnerable countries would suffer. He emphasized the moral obligation of industrialized nations, attributing climate change to their extensive use of fossil fuels for development.

Zambia, like many other climate-vulnerable nations, is burdened by substantial debt exacerbated by global high-interest rates resulting from the conflict in Ukraine. Despite securing assistance from the International Monetary Fund to restructure its debt, the country continues to grapple with economic instability, exacerbated by the recent drought after years of economic contraction.

Furthermore, Zambia aims to capitalize on its mineral resources, particularly cobalt and copper, essential for the global transition to renewable energy. Exploring a partnership with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for exports is on the agenda.

Acknowledging past issues associated with cobalt production in Africa, Nzovu assured that production would prioritize benefiting local communities without environmental harm. Emphasizing good governance and anti-corruption measures, he underscored the importance of investments benefiting Zambia directly, not just the private sector.

Nzovu advocated for climate finance reform to assist African and other Global South countries in mitigating the severe impacts of the climate crisis. Despite Africa's minimal contribution to CO2 emissions, it suffers disproportionately from climate-related consequences, necessitating urgent support.

Source: theguardian‍