ZAMBIA RED CROSS SOCIETY RESPONDS TO NYIMBA ISLAND INFERNO

On 15th August 2024, a devastating fire swept through the Nyimba Island Fishing Camp on the Kafue River in Monze District, displacing over 500 people. The inferno destroyed shelters and sanitation facilities, leaving many households vulnerable.
In response, Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS), in collaboration with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and other partners, swiftly mobilized to support the affected community.
ZRCS provided 147 emergency shelter tents, hygiene kits, and basic food supplies to the displaced households. Additionally, 25 temporary toilets and bathing facilities were set up, along with six cooking shelters, to ensure proper sanitation and hygiene for the affected population.
This humanitarian intervention aimed to prevent potential disease outbreaks and uphold the dignity and safety of the community, particularly women and children, in line with the ZRCS’s mission to address human suffering.
Beyond relief supplies, ZRCS volunteers carried out extensive community sensitization on hygiene practices, reaching over 550 people with critical messages on handwashing, safe disposal of waste, and maintaining both domestic and environmental hygiene. This effort was crucial; as sanitary conditions were poor even before the fire due to inadequate sanitation facilities on the island.
ZRCS’s collaboration with the DMMU and other stakeholders demonstrated the importance of a well-coordinated and timely response to emergencies. The intervention helped mitigate further risks to the health and well-being of the Nyimba Island community.
With support from partners like European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations Pilot Programmatic Partnership (ECHO PPP), ZRCS was able to provide immediate relief to the affected people.
Nyimba Island is located 90 kilometers west of Monze town on the Kafue River housing over 2,500 people. Fishing is the primary source of livelihood, supplemented by small-scale trading. despite the island having a community school and a health post, access to safe and clean water still remains limited.
























