This relief drive will run for 10 business days, from July 25 – August 7, 2024
Zambia is grappling with the worst drought in decades, with more than 6 million people from farming households at risk of acute food shortages and malnutrition. This drought has decimated around one million hectares of maize, jeopardizing food security, employment, and living conditions. Approximately 48 percent of people in Zambia were already thought to be unable to meet their minimum calorie requirements prior to the drought. Zambia’s malnutrition rates are already amongst the highest in the world, with 35 percent of children stunted. The drought was declared a National Disaster and Emergency by the President of Zambia, in a concerted effort to mobilize support.
This natural disaster falls on the heels of a worrying resurgence of cholera. Exacerbated by the contrasting floods at the end of 2023, Zambia experienced its worst and deadliest cholera outbreak in history in 2023/24, spreading rapidly following the onset of the rainy season and affecting the poorest communities. Opening of schools had to be delayed affecting approximately 4.3 million learners. Following a period of decline in the average number of cases in part due to the drought, the number of districts reporting cases is increasing and communities remain vulnerable to cholera.
Water supply remains at the crux of Zambia and its neighboring countries’ current multi-dimensional crises. Droughts, floods, and environmental degradation, all exacerbated by climate change, have led to a global water crisis – the effects of which Zambia is experiencing. Clean water is critical to health, economic growth and the environment. Supporting communities to access clean water and sanitation will prevent needless deaths, invest directly in people, and transform lives.
How you can help
For this relief effort, the disaster relief drive sponsors have selected Water Aid, which has launched an emergency response in Zambia. Their organization’s efforts are concentrated on providing essential aid such as clean drinking water and basic water services, as well as healthcare support. Their response will prioritize assistance to poor families who have lost their livelihoods due to the drought and have further been impacted by cholera.
Donate here now: https://worldbankgroup.benevity.org/campaigns/448 (If you are unable to access the website with your web browser, please use Google Chrome.)
- Staff and consultants in HQ and Country Offices and retirees can participate.
- Donations for this drive can be made by credit or debit card and PayPal. Credit card payments may be subject to fees from your credit card provider. Please contact your credit card provider for further details.
- Donations will be eligible for a 50% matching donation from the World Bank if at least 100 staff pledge a total of $10,000.
- The corporate match for disaster relief drives is calculated as a lump sum after the end of the drive, and therefore will not be noted in your donation receipt.
- Only donations made to “Zambia Severe Drought and Cholera: World Bank Group Disaster Relief Drive” via the above link will be matched. Donations made directly to the NGO will not be matched.
- For any questions, please email comoutreach@worldbank.org.
This relief drive is sponsored by the Eastern and Southern Africa WB Regional Vice Presidency and the Executive Directors Office (EDS14) representing Zambia. It is coordinated by ECRVP’s Community Connections team in collaboration with Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia CMU.
