President of Zambia: We need about one billion dollars for humanitarian aid

The President of Zambia has said that his country urgently needs 23.5 billion Kwacha equivalent to 937 million dollars to meet the urgent needs to save lives and guarantee humanitarian aid following the severe drought that is affecting the country.

President Hichelema has said that with a cheerful heart and on behalf of the government and the people of Zambia, he is calling on the international community, the country's partners, and the private sector to financially support the country in order to reduce the severe effects of the drought.

The President of Zambia has also explained that this year the country has received low rainfall and thus caused a severe drought in the country. He said, the effects of drought have been clearly witnessed in the harvest of agricultural crops; where one million hectares of planted maize have been badly affected in 84 out of 116 districts in Zambia. 

About 9.8 million people have been severely affected by the drought in Zambia, with 6.6 million in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. President Hakainde Hichelema added that he strongly believes that various local and international partners will unite with his government and the people of Zambia to reduce the humanitarian situation and other negative effects of the drought that is affecting the country.