In response to the devastating drought gripping Zambia and threatening the livelihoods of countless farmers, the World Bank has announced its commitment to mobilize resources to aid those affected. Speaking from Livingstone, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Victoria Kwakwa, assured Zambian communities of assistance during these challenging times.
Victoria Kwakwa affirmed that the World Bank will not only extend support to farmers who have lost their crops but also provide social protection to households to alleviate the burden of food scarcity. Collaborating closely with the Zambian government, the Bank is actively crafting short-term measures aimed at alleviating the suffering of families hit hardest by the drought.
While addressing the immediate crisis is crucial, Dr. Kwakwa emphasized the importance of long-term strategies to build resilience against future climate-related challenges. She advocated for the development of climate-smart agricultural practices, highlighting the centrality of irrigation and modern farming techniques in ensuring food security amidst erratic rainfall patterns.
Furthermore, Dr. Kwakwa urged Zambia and Zimbabwe to harness the potential of their shared natural wonder, the Victoria Falls, to bolster the tourism sector and stimulate economic growth. She underscored the need for sustainable development of Zambia’s tourism assets, emphasizing their capacity to drive economic transformation and generate employment opportunities.
In response to Dr. Kwakwa’s remarks, Zambia’s Tourism Minister, Rodney Sikumba, revealed that the country had welcomed nearly 1.4 million international tourists in 2023, slightly below the targeted figure of 1.5 million. Despite this, Minister Sikumba expressed optimism, stating that the government has implemented strategic measures to attract two million international visitors in the current year.
As Zambia grapples with the dual challenges of drought and economic recovery, the collaborative efforts of the World Bank and the Zambian government offer a glimmer of hope for vulnerable communities and underscore the importance of sustainable development in building resilience against climate-related shocks.
1.4m is not bad. Grow the number to 2m for this year. However, do not count anything including those that leave their money in South Africa
This is what this country has been brought down to by the economic “managers and salesmen”. Beggars. It is unfortunate that one can sell stock the could have lasted three years in one year, then goes back to begging and he calls himself an economic manager.
Dont forget Edgar Chagwa Lungu begging Turkey to help pay off Zambia’s debt…….Very embarrassing. Meanwhile, the Turks knew that some personal helicopters where purchased after the purchase of overpriced assets in Turkey
Its called job creation!
This is embarrassing and a prime example of why Africa will remain poor. It’s a disaster caused by a disastrous decision by HH – because he never wants to listen to his cabinet or advisors. We know some smart people in UNPD discouraged HH from selling our food security reserves because scientific drought warnings were there. The World Bank or IMF loves, nations failing to manage their economies, as they become good customers to lend money to; with “air-tight terms of conditions”. DRC is partly in the equatorial forest with plenty of running rivers and rainfall. And from its Independence Day, DRC has never produced food security. Our neighbours treasure designer clothes, night social life and listening to Rhumba. Not farming!!
INDEPENDENT OBSERVER @
That is a Bad A$$, Bold statement and very Truthful………
Aweee… Ba Kasai doesn’t like farming. Every year they smuggle food from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania…….
We cannot look into the prism of the future. World Bank will step in to provide funds. The president will hand-pick the Middleman for a contract to import maize. That chosen Middleman will walk out with millions of $Dollars in commission, which the poor taxpayer will repay with interest to the World Bank. This is White Collar Banditry and no different to the Carlington Maize Scandal in the Fredrick Chiluba – MMD Regime. Besides, the price of Maize meal is about to shoot high, due to incompetence and self-inflicted problems. Which means more hunger to the poor people who are already struggling.
Does the world bank give anything without strings?