With a total value of about 4.8 million USD, food and high energy protein supplements are being distributed in Zambezi, Shang’ombo, Kalabo and Mongu districts benefitting more than 60,000 people with a focus on children and pregnant women.
Zambezi district, Zambia, 14 November 2024 – Under the leadership of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and with funding from the European Union, UNICEF conducted today, in collaboration with World Vision, food and high energy protein supplements distribution in Mukanda Nkunda ward, Zambezi district (North-Western province). This initiative will benefit about 17,000 people in the district, focusing on households with pregnant women and children under 2, and marking a critical step in the European Union’s and UNICEFs commitment to alleviating the impact of malnutrition in Zambia’s most drought-affected regions.
Thanks to the contribution of the European Union, UNICEF and partners are targeting in total 47,660 people from households with pregnant women and under 2 children with food distribution in Zambezi, Shang’ombo and Kalabo Districts and additional 12,805 children 6-23 months with Corn Soya Blend (CSB)++ and Multiple Micronutrient Powders (MNPS) in Zambezi, Shang’ombo, Kalabo and Mongu districts.
This initiative aims to prevent severe nutrient deficiencies among vulnerable women and young children through food distribution (or cash equivalent), supplementary feeding and micronutrient supplementation, including, for example Corn Soya blend (CSB). In addition to these preventive services, the European Union is supporting the Ministry of Health to treat children under 5 with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) through the procurement and distribution of treatment commodities to health facilities and expanding the treatment capacity in these facilities. These commodities and supplements are essential in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in children, particularly in areas severely affected by drought.
“We are grateful to the European Union, UNICEF and partners for their efforts to address the hunger situation in the district. This support is critical in protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly children under 2, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, who fall within the critical 1,000-days window,” said Mr. Simeon Machayi, District Commissioner, Zambezi district.
The food distribution in Zambezi district started today at Mukanda Nkunda and targeted 2,197 people and 445 children 6-23 months with super cereal Corn Soya Blend (CSB) ++ in this ward. The beneficiaries received a 10kg Bag of Maize, 750ml Cooking oil, 1kg packet of salt and a 10kg bag of pulses (beans). The ongoing support from the European Union is crucial in ensuring that children and vulnerable families in hardest-hit districts of Zambia receive the nutrition they need to survive and thrive.
“The food and nutrition supplements being distributed exemplify our collective responsibility to respond swiftly and effectively to the current emergency, mitigating the impacts of this drought and building a pathway toward resilience and more sustainable development in Zambia. We are happy to see how our contribution is alleviating household food insecurity and malnutrition caused by the drought,” stated Claudio Bacigalupi, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Zambia and COMESA.
Moreover, the European Union, with UNICEF as implementing partner, is supporting the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) with about 563,000 USD to provide nutrition cash top-ups to households with pregnant and lactating mothers and the age of 2 in five priority districts affected by the current drought. The districts are Zambezi, Shang’ombo, Monze, Choma, and Mongu and a total of 22,737 households will be targeted.
The top-up amount is 150 Kwacha, to be paid bi-monthly for three cycles. This nutrition top-up aligns with the ongoing 1000 Days in Social Cash Transfer (SCT) pilot programme implemented by MCDSS, through the support of UN Joint Programme on Social Protection, which aims to improve the nutrition status of children and mothers in the first 1000 days of life. The provision of the nutrition top-ups leverages the Social Cash Transfer systems and delivery mechanism and is implemented as part of the Drought-Emergency Cash Transfer. The nutrition top-up payments are expected to begin during the week of 25 November 2024.
“In a time when so many families across the country are struggling to secure adequate diets, UNICEF and its partners remain committed to improving the nutritional status of mothers and children who are among the most affected by the drought. Providing humanitarian assistance and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind in the battle against malnutrition is a top priority for us. This intervention is just one example of how strategic collaboration can make a tangible difference in improving the lives of women in and children in Zambia,” emphasized Dr. Penelope Campbell, Representative, UNICEF Zambia.
Media contacts
Betty Chella Nalungwe
Communication Officer
UNICEF Zambia
Tel: +260 966767770
Email: bcnalungwe@unicef.org
Nchimunya Mweemba
Press & Information Officer
EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA
Tel: +260 970007092
Email: Nchimunya.mweemba@eeas.europa.eu