Rapid Qualitative Assessment Report
The RQA focused on priority districts, including Gwembe, Kazungula, Sikongo, and Shang’ombo in Western and Southern provinces
Highlights
Zambia faces significant challenges due to the climate crisis, including disease outbreaks, floods, and prolonged dry spells. On February 29, 2024, a national state of emergency was declared in response to a severe drought that is impacting over 50% of the country, attributed to the onset of El Niño. In response, the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Cluster has been activated to spearhead community engagement efforts.
Under the leadership of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF), and with support from UNICEF, the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), and the University of Zambia (UNZA), the Drought RCCE Cluster conducted a Rapid Qualitative Assessment (RQA). This assessment aimed to gain insights into community perceptions, behaviors, and practices within drought-affected areas to help tailor response interventions effectively.
The RQA focused on priority districts, including Gwembe, Kazungula, Sikongo, and Shang’ombo in Western and Southern provinces. Findings from the assessment emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive interventions, as outlined in the Call for Action. Key recommendations include enhancing food security and nutrition programs, supporting school feeding initiatives, strengthening reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health (RMNCH) services along with mental health support, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and implementing effective measures for gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against children (VAC). Community engagement and accountability are also crucial in addressing the multifaceted impacts of the drought and building resilience in affected communities.
