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Country analysis

Zambia

More than 1.35 million people (10% of the assessed population) were facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) levels of food insecurity between July–September 2022. Floods, a locust infestation, high food prices, and declining livelihood opportunities resulting from the impact of COVID-19 have been intensifying the food security crisis in Zambia since 2019. Previous droughts, especially in 2015–2016 and 2017–2018, increased people’s vulnerability to food shortages. Households experiencing significant food consumption gaps resort to negative coping mechanisms, such as charcoal production and the selling of livelihood assets (cattle, goats, pigs, and land), to meet their minimum food needs.

The food insecurity situation is projected to worsen between October 2022 and March 2023 because of the lean season starting in November. Projections indicate that 1.95 million people (14% of the population analysed) are likely to face IPC 3 levels between October 2022 and March 2023.

In 2022, Kariba dam, the world's largest man-made dam, which provides hydroelectric electricity to millions of people in Zambia and Zimbabwe, hit the lowest water level on record, leading to intentional blackouts of up to 12 hours.

(Reuters 08/09/2016, IPC 18/08/2021,

IFRC 25/01/2023, IPC 30/08/2022, TWP 04/01/2023)

More than 1.35 million people (10% of the assessed population) were facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) levels of food insecurity between July–September 2022. Floods, a locust infestation, high food prices, and declining livelihood opportunities resulting from the impact of COVID-19 have been intensifying the food security crisis in Zambia since 2019. Previous droughts, especially in 2015–2016 and 2017–2018, increased people’s vulnerability to food shortages. Households experiencing significant food consumption gaps resort to negative coping mechanisms, such as charcoal production and the selling of livelihood assets (cattle, goats, pigs, and land), to meet their minimum food needs.

The food insecurity situation is projected to worsen between October 2022 and March 2023 because of the lean season starting in November. Projections indicate that 1.95 million people (14% of the population analysed) are likely to face IPC 3 levels between October 2022 and March 2023.

In 2022, Kariba dam, the world's largest man-made dam, which provides hydroelectric electricity to millions of people in Zambia and Zimbabwe, hit the lowest water level on record, leading to intentional blackouts of up to 12 hours.

(Reuters 08/09/2016, IPC 18/08/2021,

IFRC 25/01/2023, IPC 30/08/2022, TWP 04/01/2023)

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current crises
in Zambia

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

REG012 - Southern Africa Regional Food Security Crisis

Last updated 31/08/2023

Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

3.7 High

Access constraints

2.0

ZMB002 - Drought

Last updated 31/08/2023

Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3 Medium

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Zambia

Zambia: drought in the Southern province

11 July 2019

Zambia: drought in the Southern province

DOCUMENT / PDF / 493 KB

Zambia is currently experiencing a prolonged drought largely as a result of below-average precipitation from the seasonal rains (November-March). The significant rainfall deficit, especially noticeable in Southern and Western provinces, has resulted in decreased agricultural production. Consequently, households are sharply depleting food stocks and are increasingly dependent on market purchases, driving up the prices of staple foods such as maize.

Natual hazards
Zambia:Influx of refugees from DRC

13 October 2017

Zambia:Influx of refugees from DRC

DOCUMENT / PDF / 307 KB

Over 3,360 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo fled into Zambia between 30 August and 3 October 2017. The refugees have been fleeing inter-ethnic conflicts as well as clashes between government forces and armed militias in Haut-Katanga province. Several of them have reported extreme brutality committed by all parties against civilians. 

Mixed migration
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