29/09/2026
ZAMBIA SET TO FINALISE LONG-TERM EL NIĂ‘O PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE STRATEGY
29th September 2026
Zambia is set to finalize its Draft Multi-Stakeholder El Niño Preparedness and Response Strategy for 2027–2031 following a two-day validation workshop held at Grand Palace Hotel in Lusaka, bringing together more than 50 stakeholders from different sectors.
The workshop was facilitated by GIZ Zambia and brought together representatives from Government ministries, non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, UN agencies and other stakeholders involved in climate policy and development.
Speaking on the sidelines at the conclusion of the workshop, CSO Consortium on Climate Policy and Advocacy National Coordinator Abel Musumali said the strategy is a long-term framework aimed at strengthening Zambia’s preparedness and response to El Niño and other climate-related shocks.
Mr Musumali said the strategy focuses on sensitive sectors of the economy, including agriculture, water development, energy, water and sanitation, education and health.
He said climate considerations are critical to achieving and sustaining Zambia’s development agenda, warning that failure to adequately address climate-related risks could have severe consequences on communities and the economy.
Mr Musumali said more than two million smallholder farmers depend on rainfall to produce food and other crops, making them particularly vulnerable to prolonged dry spells and inadequate rainfall.
He said the strategy therefore proposes interventions aimed at bridging gaps created by climate shocks and strengthening resilience among vulnerable communities.
Mr Musumali said the CSO Consortium, comprising about 50 organisations, has continued to contribute to the validation process to ensure that the strategy reflects the concerns and priorities of different stakeholders.
He said the strategy is expected to be finalised next week and subsequently launched.
(C) THE FALCON
