Zambia activates El Niño preparedness plan as food insecurity risks rise

The Zambian government has activated a national preparedness plan to address anticipated food insecurity caused by the 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon. According to the 2026 Zambia Vulnerability and Needs Assessment Report, approximately 1.25 million people across 93 districts may face acute food insecurity between August 2026 and March 2027 due to projected below-normal rainfall and prolonged dry spells.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango informed Parliament that the Disaster Risk Management Division has already disbursed K31.7 million to support prevention efforts. These funds are directed toward prioritized districts in the Eastern, Southern, Western, Central, Northern, North-Western, Muchinga, Lusaka, and Luapula provinces. To reduce costs, the government has decentralized relief food procurement to the provincial level rather than transporting all supplies from Lusaka.

Beyond food security, officials warned that the anticipated drought conditions could impact water availability, public health, energy generation, livestock, and education.