A Critical Analysis of Food Security Situation Amidst Epoch of Drought & Flooding in Zambia

Zambia is experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis resulting from climate change making weather patterns more extreme, with more frequent droughts, floods, and heat waves. These disaster risks are affecting Zambia’s poorest communities especially in rural areas who rely on rainfed agriculture. Such extreme weather events are impacting productivity of the agriculture sector which is driving deterioration in food and nutrition security with increasing severity and prevalence of food insecurity. Currently, the country is facing prolonged dry spell and drought caused by El Niño affecting 84 out of the 116 districts of Zambia. The drought has affected agrifood systems sectors including crops, livestock, education and water and sanitation labour (Drought Response Situation Report, 2024). The Government of the Republic of Zambia’s crop assessment data has estimated over one million hectares of crop land affected ranging from outright crop failure and significant drop in yields. The impact of the El Nino induced drought is highlighted as the worst that the country has experienced with the month of February being the driest and hottest month on record since 1981. This study was critically conducted and employed a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Combining quantitative and qualitative techniques (“mixed method”) allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the drought on household food security and livelihoods and other sectors. The research design consisted of four main components: household surveys, focus group discussions, market assessments, and key informant interviews.