UNFPA’s integrated crisis response reaches over 393,000 People amid drought

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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed that its integrated crisis response programmes introduced during Zambia’s 2024 drought reached more than 393,000 people between 2014 and 2025.

The initiative combined food and cash distributions with mobile clinics, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, gender-based violence prevention, and psychosocial support, providing a lifeline to vulnerable communities during one of the country’s toughest climate shocks.

Implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health, World Food Programme, Norwegian Church Aid,  Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), World Vision, and Lifeline Childline Zambia, the Programme reached over 153,000 people and supported 262 health facilities in the Eastern and Southern Provinces between January and June 2025 alone.

Presenting findings from a review on crisis-adaptive programming, UNFPA Programme Analyst Nicholas Malapa said the assessment exposed a worrying link between environmental crises and an increase in child marriages in Zambia.

Mr. Malapa said UNFPA trained 163 safe space mentors for women and girls to provide psychological first aid and raise awareness about the minimum age of marriage, as stipulated in the Marriage Amendment Act No. 13 of 2023.

The review, conducted with Lifeline Childline Zambia, also documented 22,000 grievances related to alleged kickbacks during food and cash distribution efforts in humanitarian settings.

Mr. Malapa has underscored the need for stronger household resilience, protective systems, and context-specific data to safeguard children especially girls during environmental crises.

“Child marriage is not only a social issue; it is a protection and health issue, worsened by climate change. Our integrated approach ensures that girls are safeguarded while communities adapt to environmental challenges,” he said.

He has further explained that climate change amplifies existing gender inequalities and undermines access to essential services.

“During crises like last year’s drought, women and girls often prioritize searching for food and water over accessing sexual and reproductive health services,” Mr. Malapa added.

He has noted that drought and food insecurity can result in maternal malnutrition, low birth weight, pregnancy complications, and reduced access to family planning services.

“During humanitarian crises, protective structures are weakened. Families may marry off young girls as a coping mechanism either to receive dowry or because wealthier men can provide better care,” he explained, citing the case of a 16-year-old girl in Petauke who volunteered for marriage due to hunger.

The review has warned that environmental crises exacerbate gender-based violence, early pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and loss of educational opportunities for girls. Those married early often face social isolation and obstetric complications.

To tackle these challenges, UNFPA and its partners have pledged to continue scaling up climate-resilient, gender-responsive interventions that protect women and girls while strengthening community adaptation.

Ends……………….


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