The Swiss, United Kingdom government and other donors have mobilized a US$5.3 million drought payout to Zambian farmers. A symbolic cheque was been presented this week to the Zambian Government as a payout for the drought insurance taken under the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
The fund is supported by the Governments of the United Kingdom, through the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, and Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Corporation, and managed by the African Development Bank.
The insurance payout will aid in the country’s recovery from the extreme drought event during the 2021/2022 agriculture season.
W.K Mutale Nalumang, Zambia’s Acting President welcomed the payout saying the Zambian government stands ready to support disaster risk transfer initiatives that lighten the burden on the Southern African nation.
This will enable the timely emergency response activities in communities affected by drought, through the provision of cash transfers and food assistance to ensure food is available for the targeted households during the lean season period, according to an announcement.
Substantial lack of rain impacting crop production resulted in severe food insecurity in districts in the southern and western parts of the country.
