GOV’T RECEIVES $200,000 FROM THE AU FOR IDP’s
The African Union has presented a solidarity cheque of US$200,000 to the Zambian Government, approved by the African Union Commission PRC-Sub Committee on present Refugees, Returnees and Internally Dispersed Persons (IDPs).
This gesture follows President Hakainde Hichilema’s declaration of the drought as a national disaster and emergency on 29th February, 2024. Following the declaration, the President launched an international appeal for humanitarian assistance in response to the drought, which affected 6.6 million people. Zambia experienced the worst kind of drought caused by the el Niño weather conditions during the 2023/2024 season influenced by the climate change phenomenon. The drought had devastating consequences on many critical sectors such as agriculture, water availability, and energy supply, risking national food security and livelihoods of people.
The cheque was handed over to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) by His Excellency Ambassador Churchil Ewumbue-Monono of Cameroon, Representative to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Prior to the handover ceremony, Ambassador Ewumbue-Monono and his delegation paid a courtesy call on Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, Permanent Secretary International Relations and Cooperation, at Charter House in Lusaka.
Ms. Gundersen expressed gratitude to the AU for rendering support to Zambia to help mitigate the impact of the drought.
The Ambassador noted that he is leading an AU Humanitarian Assessment Mission to evaluate the impact of the 2023/2024 drought situation in Zambia and is scheduled to visit parts of Lusaka Province. The visiting delegation will work closely with the DMMU during the mission.
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GOV’T RECEIVES $200,000 FROM THE AU FOR IDP’s
