Relief from Hunger

By Derrick Silimina

In the arid terrain of Shang’ombo District, approximately 850 km west of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, Charity Imbuwa received a Chinese food-aid pack and shared it with her children at their home near the Angola border. 

“We haven’t eaten anything for the last two days and we’re starving. I thank God for the Chinese food aid, provided through the World Food Programme (WFP), which will save us from hunger,” Imbuwa told ChinAfrica. 

Imbuwa and her family are among more than 188,000 Zambians who have been severely affected by the prolonged drought during the 2023/2024 agricultural season - one of the worst in recent memory - which led to widespread crop failure and increased food insecurity. 

Following the El Niño–induced drought, Shang’ombo District, like many other areas, experienced widespread failure of maize, the country’s staple crop. The drought caused significant crop losses throughout Western Province, making it one of the hardest-hit regions in Zambia. 

“Hunger is terrible because whenever I see my children hungry, I cry a lot, as I feel like I am failing to provide for them,” lamented Imbuwa, a mother of three. 

In Gwembe District in south Zambia, Gift Munkombwe, another beneficiary of Chinese food aid, said climate change has forced many families into poverty. He explained that children are experiencing stunting and malnutrition and are missing school as a result of climate-related hardships. 

“We are deeply grateful for this timely food assistance, which will go a long way in easing hunger,” he said. 

  

Food insecurity 

Zambia is facing the impacts of its worst drought in over four decades, attributed to El Niño and exacerbated by climate change. Oxfam reports that more than 1 million farming families, representing about 6.6 million people reliant on rain-fed agriculture, have been affected. 

The severity of the drought led President Hakainde Hichilema to declare a national disaster and emergency on 29 February 2024, a move aimed at enabling the allocation of additional resources to effectively respond to the crisis. 

“The destruction caused by the prolonged dry spell is immense. The drought has already affected 84 of the country’s 116 districts,” President Hichilema said. 

In response to the crisis, more than 188,000 drought-affected individuals in Zambia are expected to benefit from the food aid project, funded by China through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. 

China, in collaboration with the WFP, has provided food aid worth $3.5 million to support Zambia’s efforts to locally purchase approximately 5,641 tonnes of maize. The grain distribution, planned over three months, is expected to benefit about 188,057 individuals, roughly 37,000 households, in the districts most affected by drought in the Southern and Western provinces. 

The Chinese government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing efficient food-aid projects across Africa, including Zambia, as part of broader strategies to address food insecurity caused by drought conditions in the region. 

“This aid package aims to support developing countries in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing during the recent handover ceremony to Zambia’s Vice President Mutale Nalumango in Lusaka. 

Han noted that the food aid forms part of China’s Global Development Initiative and demonstrates China’s commitment to Zambia’s development, as well as to strengthening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. 

The Chinese envoy added that the Global Development Initiative has financed development projects in more than 16 countries, benefitting over 30 million people worldwide. 

Speaking at the same event, Li Shuyin, deputy director of China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges, highlighted the importance of the project, citing China’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s development and promoting South-South cooperation. 

“China is firmly committed to taking decisive action by implementing high-quality and efficient food-aid projects to benefit millions of vulnerable groups,” Li said. 

She added that the project is part of a broader effort by China to deepen cooperation with African countries, with a focus on promoting agricultural development and food security. Li further noted that the Chinese government has invested over $100 million in similar projects across more than 40 countries, benefitting millions of people worldwide. 

Meanwhile, WFP Representative in Zambia Cissy Byenkya Kabasuba expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its generous contribution. 

“This contribution is a remarkable testament to China’s ongoing dedication to humanitarian support and food security,” Kabasuba said. 

  

Deeper cooperation 

The launch of the project marks a significant milestone in the partnership between China, the WFP and Zambia, underscoring the commitment of all parties to promoting sustainable development and food security in the region. 

“We have been working closely with the Zambian government to provide humanitarian assistance to drought-affected communities, and the WFP plays a key role in implementing the project, ensuring that food aid reaches those most in need,” the organisation said. 

Receiving the donation, Vice President Nalumango expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the timely assistance, citing the enduring friendship and solidarity between the two countries. 

“This assistance will go a long way in providing much-needed relief to our people, who continue to face the harsh realities of the El Niño aftermath,” Nalumango said during the handover ceremony recently held at the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) offices in Lusaka. 

Nalumango paid tribute to the Chinese government as a key partner in Zambia’s development, supporting various sectors including infrastructure, agriculture and capacity building.

“The government is elated with the latest donation, which underscores China’s commitment to supporting Zambia’s efforts to address the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable development,” she said.