Zambia — humanitarian situation

Zambia faces an elevated public health threat from the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, confirmed in May 2026. The outbreak has recorded 808 confirmed cases including 192 deaths across 25 health zones in eastern DRC's Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces (UNHCR). The Bundibugyo species currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, though research and clinical trials are ongoing (Zambia Red Cross, IFRC). High cross-border population mobility, trade flows, and Zambia's position as a regional transit hub connecting eight neighboring countries create significant transmission risk (FEWS NET). The Start Network has identified this as a high-priority risk for Zambia in June 2026. The Government of Zambia has intensified preparedness measures with international support. WHO delivered critical Ebola preparedness equipment including personal protective equipment, laboratory reagents, infection prevention and control materials, and specimen transportation supplies to strengthen national detection and response capacity (WHO). Africa CDC and WHO launched a joint continental preparedness and response plan seeking $518 million for the six-month period from June to November 2026 to support African countries in rapidly detecting and responding to the outbreak (Africa CDC, WHO). These efforts occur within a complex humanitarian context in the source region marked by insecurity, displacement, and constrained humanitarian access (IOM). Concurrently, Zambia implemented a second round of Sub-National Immunization Activities for polio from June 2 to 5, 2026, in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, and Rotary International to maintain immunity levels against polio (WHO). WFP continues programming through partnerships with the Ministry of Education, conducting a School Feeding workshop in Kabwe District to evaluate systems and identify priorities for strengthening the programme (WFP). Additionally, forecasts indicate El Niño conditions are very likely from mid-2026, with most models projecting at least moderate strength and increasing possibility of a strong event, arriving amid record global temperatures (IASC, IFRC, OCHA). This presents a closing window for anticipatory action before climate impacts peak.