Location
Southern and Western Province.
Southern and Western Province. • Integrated Emergency Response for El Niño Drought-Affected Communities in Zambia (GAC)
Integrated Emergency Response for El Niño Drought-Affected Communities in Zambia (GAC)
Partners
Global Affairs Canada / Oxfam Canada
Status
Active
About This Project
The Integrated Emergency Response for El Niño Drought-Affected Communities in Zambia is a humanitarian project supporting communities that were affected by the 2024/2025 El Niño-induced drought.
The drought caused widespread crop failure, water shortages which increased food insecurity across several districts in Southern and Western Zambia. Many households that depend on rain-fed agriculture and livestock experienced severe livelihood disruptions, leaving families struggling to meet basic needs.
In response to these challenges, this project provides immediate humanitarian assistance while strengthening community resilience to climate-related shocks.
Partners and Support
This project is funded by Global Affairs Canada through Oxfam Canada and implemented by Keepers Zambia Foundation in partnership with Oxfam Zambia and Women for Change. The initiative also works closely with district-level government departments, community leaders, and local institutions in the targeted districts to ensure coordinated implementation and long-term sustainability.
Project Locations
Southern Province
- Gwembe
- Namwala
- Sinazongwe
Western Province
- Mongu
- Kaoma
- Kalabo
Key Objectives
Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services
Supporting food security and household resilience
Promoting dignity and protection for vulnerable populations
Strengthening community capacity and local participation
Key Activities
Emergency Cash Support
The project provides multi-purpose cash assistance to vulnerable households to help them meet urgent needs such as food, basic household items, and essential services.
Through community-led selection processes, 4,000 vulnerable households were identified across the six districts to receive cash assistance to help them cope with the impacts of the drought.
Cash transfers were delivered through mobile money and other accessible payment methods to ensure that assistance reached households efficiently.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Improving access to safe water and sanitation is a core component of the project.
Key interventions include:
- Rehabilitation and upgrading of community water points
- Water quality monitoring and testing
- Distribution of water treatment supplies and hygiene materials
- Community training on safe water storage, sanitation, and hygiene practices
Community-based volunteers were trained to support hygiene awareness and household-level training in safe water practices.
Menstrual Hygiene and Dignity Support
The project also supports the health and dignity of women and girls through the distribution of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) kits and community education on menstrual hygiene practices.
These interventions help address barriers faced by women and girls due to limited access to hygiene materials and safe sanitation facilities.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building
Community members and local leaders are actively involved in the design and implementation of project activities.
Local committees and community volunteers are trained to support water management systems, hygiene promotion, and community feedback mechanisms.
This participatory approach strengthens community ownership and ensures that interventions respond to the real needs of affected communities.
Project Impact
4,000
Vulnerable households identified for humanitarian support
3,759
Households successfully received multi-purpose cash transfers
125
Community Based Volunteers trained
12,518
Households reached through community hygiene awareness activities
1,992
Households received WASH non-food items
1,991
Women and girls received menstrual hygiene kits
4
institutional water points upgraded and rehabilitated
Project Gallery
Photos from our work on the ground