Zambia — humanitarian situation

Zambia faces acute food insecurity challenges driven by the compounding effects of the 2023/24 El Niño-induced drought, localized April 2026 flooding, and ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks restricting livestock movement. Despite a record national maize harvest of approximately 3.9 million metric tons in 2026 FEWS NET, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food security outcomes are expected through January 2027 in parts of Western and Southern provinces and localized eastern areas, where households experienced below-average production due to prolonged dry spells and weather shocks FEWS NET. Most affected households are meeting minimum food needs through depleted food stocks, non-agricultural labor, and livestock-related income, though purchasing power for essential non-food goods remains constrained FEWS NET. FAO has distributed agricultural inputs to 1,171 smallholder households through e-vouchers to restore production and strengthen climate resilience. Health sector priorities include epidemic preparedness and outbreak response. A measles outbreak declared in mid-May 2026 began with an index case in Shangombo District (Zambia Red Cross), prompting the Government to launch a final round of Sub-National Immunization Activities targeting 3.9 million children under five WHO. UNICEF delivered over 2 million Kwacha worth of WASH and infection prevention supplies to strengthen national preparedness against Ebola and other Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, particularly given the ongoing Ebola outbreak in neighboring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 1,900 confirmed cases have been reported since May UNHCR, UNICEF. The broader regional context includes cross-border displacement from DRC, with approximately 15,700 Congolese refugees and asylum-seekers fleeing to neighboring countries since January 2026 due to armed clashes and rights violations UNHCR. WFP continues resilience programming in Mantapala Refugee Settlement, where livelihood interventions reached 1,000 refugee households and 200 host-community households, focusing on climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, and seed systems WFP. Regional coordination remains active as Southern Africa transitions from large-scale flood response to recovery, though chronic humanitarian challenges including food insecurity and disease outbreaks persist across multiple countries OCHA.