Uganda gives a helping hand to Zambia with 500 000t maize pledge

Drought-stricken Zambia has reached out for more international assistance as the situation, the worst in 40 years, deteriorates in the African country

- Jeff Kapembwa

The devastating drought in Zambia has led to Uganda pledging to send 500 000t of maize to Zambia, where over six million people are in dire need of food. Last March, Zambia declared the 2022/23 drought a national disaster and emergency, which led to the country appealing for assistance with food, as the Southern African state has over nine million people lacking food, including over three million children’s condition degenerating due to malnutrition.

A staggering 84 of the total 116 districts of the country’s 10 provinces were adversely affected after the drought, the worst in 40 years, ripped through the country, affecting over one million hectares of the total 2,2 million hectares of the planted maize fields. The low rainfall patterns were caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

“This drought had devastating consequences on many sectors such as agriculture, water availability and energy supply, jeopardising our national food security and the livelihoods of millions of people,” said Zambian