Zambia's president assures nation about enhanced measures to cushion effects of drought

LUSAKA, Zambia

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema said Friday his government has in place a response plan, with the provision of humanitarian assistance, for Zambians hard-hit by drought from erratic rains in the previous season.

In a State of the Nation Address at the opening of the fourth session of the 13th National Assembly in Lusaka, Hichilema said the government was implementing recovery and resilience interventions to mitigate the effects of climate change, after drought wiped out more than 1 million hectares of crops, affecting nearly 10 million people and 6.6 million in need of direct relief in 84 of the country's 116 districts.

Having declared that the El Nino phenomenon introduced a national disaster and emergency in February, Hichilema applauded Zambians for their resilience and patience as well as local and international partners for humanitarian support.

Hichilema said his administration was committed to upholding the rule of law, respecting human rights and the Constitution, as well as the core of good governance.

His administration was determined to eradicate all forms of corruption, remaining committed to a zero-tolerance policy against the vice, he said.

Hichilema said all cases of corruption were being thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law, with assorted properties worth more than 100 million Zambian Kwachas ($3.8 million) and cash amounting to $30.8 million and 56.6 million Kwachas forfeited to the state.

He said through a foreign policy anchored on the pillars of peace, security and economic diplomacy; Zambia effectively presided over the Southern African Development Community Organ on Politics, Defence (SADC) and Security, fulfilling the bloc's mandate of promoting regional peace, security and stability: ultimately creating more economic opportunities.

This was in addition to successfully leading SADC electoral observer missions to Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Madagascar, Congo DR, Lesotho and South Africa.

Hichilema also highlighted growth prospects in agriculture, mining, tourism, energy, manufacturing and technology, among other sectors.