USAID Pledges $66.8 Million Support To Zambia Amidst Severe Drought!! The United States government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) says it will provide $66.8 million (K2.6 billion) to Zambia to address the current drought effects, strengthen food security, and build economic and climate resilience in the country. USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman made the announcement at the bilateral discussions held with President Hakainde Hichilema at a public launch event of Export Trading Group fertilizer plant in Lusaka today. The plan will address the link between food security and a changing climate, with a focus on using drought-tolerant seeds, market strengthening, and improved dietary intake.It will expand private sector-led solutions to strengthen food systems and drive inclusive agricultural sector growth, putting financial, digital, and productive tools into the hands of Zambian entrepreneurs. As part of the $66.8 million in assistance, USAID will provide $20 million (K515 million) in urgent humanitarian assistance, including life-saving food, cash, and agricultural assistance through implementing partners as an immediate response to the severe drought that afflicted Zambia.This assistance complements USAID’s existing $9.5 million (K245 million) Feed the Future portfolio to drive inclusive, long term agricultural-led economic growth. USAID also plans to invest an additional $5 million (K130 million) to increase the long-term food security in Zambia to strengthen its agricultural productivity, improve nutrition, and help producers manage future shocks.In addition, USAID intends to provide $32.3 million (K836 million) to continue accelerating development across various sectors including $11 million (K285 million) in climate adaptation programming and $12 million (K310 million) to help create a policy environment that fuels job and income-generating businesses, trade, and investment, and responsive to economic and climate shocks as well as good governance.
