In a major humanitarian effort, the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has launched a vital cash distribution program to support 11,104 drought-affected households in Sinazongwe and Chikankata districts of Southern Province. This initiative, officially launched on August 22, 2024, at Sinazeze Primary School in Sinazongwe District, aims to alleviate the severe impacts of the ongoing drought in these hard-hit areas.
Speaking at the launch, ZRCS National President Mr. Frackson Ngosa highlighted the critical need for this intervention. The program will provide K400 per month for three months to 5,232 households in Sinazongwe and 5,872 households in Chikankata.
This initiative marks a significant milestone as we embark on a transformative endeavor to cushion and empower communities while enhancing their resilience.
Mr. Ngosa stated.
This cash distribution is part of ZRCS’s broader commitment to supporting communities with both immediate relief and long-term strategies. In line with this, just last month, ZRCS distributed farming inputs, including fertilizer and seeds, to 575 households in the affected areas to boost agricultural resilience.
The launch of this program follows the government’s pronouncement of the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) Report, which identified Sinazongwe and Chikankata as among the most food-insecure districts in Zambia. Representing the Permanent Secretary for Southern Province, Mr. Norman Monze, Sinazongwe District Commissioner Mr. Nchimunya Siakole praised ZRCS for its unwavering support of the government’s disaster risk reduction and mitigation efforts.
As a government, we are committed to safeguarding the lives of people in our communities. The launch of this drought response cash assistance by ZRCS is commendable and aligns with our goals under the Eighth National Development Plan
Mr. Monze said in his speech.
He also encouraged other organizations to follow ZRCS’s lead in establishing sustained partnerships with the government to better protect and enhance lives.
The ZRCS’s cash assistance initiative is supported by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), highlighting the crucial role of international collaboration in addressing the growing humanitarian needs caused by climate change and other emerging threats in Zambia.
As ZRCS continues its mission to build more resilient communities, this program stands as a testament to the organization’s ongoing dedication to improving the lives and livelihoods of Zambia’s most vulnerable populations.
One of the beneficiaries, Munenge Mupiya, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Zambia Red Cross Society, stating,
This support has come at the perfect time and is truly a blessing for my family. We are deeply grateful to Zambia Red Cross for helping us through these difficult days.
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