Zambia has recently received a grant of $208 million (approximately €193.7 million) from the World Bank to help respond to the devastating impact of drought in the region. The severe drought in southern Africa has left millions of people in need of assistance, and this grant is intended to aid Lusaka in effectively responding to the crisis.
The amount given per household per month through the grant is expected to double from around $8.30 to $16.60, allowing the government to provide direct cash transfers to more affected individuals and families. This will help alleviate some of the financial burden on those impacted by the drought and protect their consumption during times of shock. It is estimated that over 1.6 million households across 84 drought-impacted districts will receive cash assistance over a 12-month period through this grant.
Southern Africa is currently facing its worst drought in years, partially influenced by the El Niño climate phenomenon. This phenomenon is characterized by warmer sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator, leading to disruptive weather patterns globally. The increased average temperatures resulting from greenhouse gas emissions are also contributing to the severity of the drought. The impact of the drought has severely affected food production and the livelihoods of millions of people, leading to countries like Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe declaring a state of disaster. The United Nations has described Zambia’s agricultural season as “driest” in over 40 years, with over nine million people in 84 out of 117 districts being affected.
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