Information Update on Drought and Cholera Response by the UN System

The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought a National Disaster and Emergency on February 29, 2024.
Eight provinces are affected namely: Central, Eastern, Lusaka, Muchinga, Copperbelt, Southern, North-western and Western Provinces with Western, Southern, Central and Lusaka being severely affected by the drought. Specifically, maize cultivation has been severely impacted, with around one million hectares of maize fields damaged out of 2.2 million hectares planted.
The Government has since developed a Drought Response Plan with a requirement of ZMW 23.5 billion or US$ 941 million to provide life-saving and early recovery assistance to targeted 6.6 million out of 9.8 million affected people.
Following the formulation of the Drought Response Plan, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, made an international appeal on 16 April 2024 requesting for humanitarian assistance.