Zambia is to receive $50-million in credit from the World Bank (WB) for current drought and food shortages in the country, a government representative said on Tuesday.
According to Finance Minister Emmanuel Kasonde, the WB funds will be released under the Emergency Drought Recovery Project (EDRP), and will go towards logistical and humanitarian support in ongoing food distribution.
The EDRP is an emergency credit facility that the WB gives to member countries to enable them deal with the effects of drought. The funds are awaiting approval from the WB board which is scheduled to meet at the end of October. ”The situation is very serious. There is no doubt that people are dying, disease is taking its toll on hunger-weakened people,” Kasonde said, adding that Zambia was seeking further support from the WB for economic expansion and diversification.
He said parliament would approve a supplementary budget next Tuesday to allow for food imports and methods to alleviate the drought. He did not say how much would be approved.
Zambia has an annual consumption of 1,2-million tons of grain, but currently has only half of the required amount. About four million people face starvation and two million of them are already on the brink of famine. – Sapa-DPA