The Scottish Government has pledged £350,000 in emergency humanitarian aid to support drought-stricken communities in Zambia and Zimbabwe, which are currently experiencing the worst drought in 100 years.
According to a press statement released yesterday, the funds, distributed through the government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund, will be allocated to two Scottish charities, Christian Aid and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF). Each organization will receive £175,000 to provide immediate assistance to affected households, ensuring access to essential items such as food and clean drinking water.
SCIAF will support 1,530 households in Zambia with cash transfers of 600 kwacha (approximately £17) per month, while Christian Aid will distribute cash to 562 households in Zimbabwe. The Christian charity will also promote services aimed at preventing gender-based violence, which often increases during times of instability.
“Between a record drought exacerbated by the climate crisis and ongoing cholera outbreaks, the current situation in Southern Africa looks very bleak,” said First Minister John Swinney in the press release. “This funding will ensure people in some of the hardest-hit communities can put food on their families’ tables, buy basic essentials, and access safe drinking water – which is critical to prevent further spread of cholera.”
SCIAF Chief Executive Lorraine Currie said, “Right now, people in Zambia and neighboring countries in Africa are at crisis point, with failed harvest after failed harvest. This funding from the Scottish Government will literally save lives.”
Christian Aid’s Zimbabwe Country Director Aulline Chapisa also expressed gratitude, saying, “This funding will enable 562 vulnerable households to access essential food items. It will also help reduce levels of gender-based violence by improving access to information and support services.”
Southern Africa is grappling with its driest February in 100 years, which has decimated maize crops in the region. According to the United Nations, between 40-80% of the maize harvest has been wiped out in areas where 70% of the population depends on agriculture to survive.
