World Humanitarian Day 2024

“We have sold all our goats and chickens, keeping only a few for multiplication as a form of savings. But the biggest challenge is water. We walk 3 kilometers to draw water from the same stream where animals drink, risking our health. The rainy seasons are unpredictable now, and farming has become a gamble. We know that cutting down trees is contributing to this crisis, but we have no choice. Our survival depends on farming. What we need most is a well and sustainable support for gardening. Without these, the struggle will only worsen,” said Ruth Kamini.

Ruth Kamini is a resident of Kamukeza Zone in Chalimongela Ward, Zimba District of Southern Province – Zambia. She is a divorced mother of four children—two girls and two boys.

Today, on World Humanitarian Day, CARE Zambia stands with the 9.8 million Zambians facing the devastating impact of an El-Nino-induced drought. Families across the country are struggling to survive, with many limited to just one meal a day and forced to travel long distances to find water. The crisis has dried up water sources and decimated crops, leaving millions in urgent need of support.

CARE Zambia in partnership with local NGOs and government of the Republic of Zambia through Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) are responding by directly supporting the most affected communities through cash and food distribution as well as essential service delivery in four districts of Choma, Monze, Kalomo and Zimba, Southern Province. CARE Zambia is also working to rehabilitate boreholes, upgrade solar water systems, and distribute water treatment chemicals to ensure that communities have access to clean and safe water.

However, this is not enough. We urgently call on international actors to allocate flexible, multi-year funding to address this escalating humanitarian crisis. Prioritizing local and women-led organizations in the response is essential to making a lasting impact.

Chikwe Mbweeda, CARE Zambia Country Director said, “As the effects of climate change continue to devastate communities across Zambia, it is clear that urgent action is needed now more than ever. At CARE Zambia, we believe that every person deserves access to the basic necessities of life including food, water, and safety. We are committed to working with local partners, the Zambian government, and the international community to ensure that no one is left behind in this crisis. But this effort requires more than just immediate relief. We need sustained, multi-year investments that prioritize local leadership, especially women-led initiatives, to build resilience and create lasting change. The time to act is now, before more lives are severely impacted by this drought situation.”