Emergency Response

ChildFund has today marked the conclusion of the Emergency Nutrition Project, a four-month emergency response launched in 2024 to address the devastating drought that gripped Zambia during the 2023/2024 farming season. The prolonged dry spell, declared a national disaster by Republican President Hakainde Hichilema, left thousands of families struggling to access adequate food, triggering a widespread nutrition crisis—especially in Central, Eastern, and Lusaka Provinces.

In response to the President’s call for urgent action, ChildFund implemented the ZMW 9.3 million (USD 328,000) Emergency Nutrition Project to support the most vulnerable groups: children under five and pregnant and lactating mothers.

A Coordinated Response to Combat Malnutrition

The initiative was launched by ChildFund Africa Regional Director, Chege Ngugi, who led food distribution efforts across five affected districts—Chongwe, Kafue, Chilanga, Rufunsa, and Shibuyunji. Speaking at the project’s commencement, Ngugi emphasized: “The drought has left many families struggling, and our priority is to provide swift and effective support. Every child deserves a healthy start in life, and through this initiative, we are working to ensure that children and mothers receive the nourishment they need to recover and thrive.”

Chilanga District Commissioner David Sheleni commended ChildFund for supporting government efforts in mitigating the drought’s impact.

Delivering Lifesaving Support

Through a strong focus on therapeutic and supplementary feeding, the project reached 11,289 children aged 6 to 59 months and 3,828 pregnant and lactating women. Over 11,000 children were screened for malnutrition to ensure timely treatment.

The distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) and Fortified Blended Foods (FBFs) was central to the initiative, helping children recover from moderate and severe malnutrition and restoring their health.

For mothers like Mary Daka, the project brought renewed hope. “I’m grateful to receive these supplements for my son. He was found to be malnourished, but now I have hope that his health will improve,” she shared.

As recovery efforts continue, ChildFund remains committed to working alongside government and community partners to build long-term resilience. Continued investment in nutrition, food security, and early warning systems will be critical to protecting vulnerable families from future shocks.