Food insecurity in flood-affected areas

The slow delivery of relief food to flood-affected areas of western Zambia could jeopardise the ability of households to engage in winter production, and increase their vulnerability, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has warned. The region has experienced extensive flooding since December last year because of high rainfall, affecting more than 38,000 households in seven districts. Infrastructure and part of the crops in the province were destroyed by the heavy downpours. FEWS NET country representative Alfred Mwila said on Tuesday that although food stocks were available, "logistical constraints" were hampering delivery. "Due to the flooding, it made it very difficult to get to some areas. Airlifting the food relief was an option but this proved too expensive, so there are now plans to put in place other mechanisms to ensure that these communities receive assistance," he said. The delay is expected to impact on the winter agricultural output in the affected regions, which are mainly in the flood plain of the Zambezi river. "The small-scale farmers in this area will also be affected if inputs, such as seeds and fertiliser, are not delivered in time," Mwila added. FEWS NET noted that despite an overall good harvest this year, pockets of food insecurity persisted in parts of the country. "There are localised areas that are food insecure, due to low production in food and non-food crops because of poor terrain, floods and damage to crops by wild animals," the early warning system said. The areas experiencing food shortages include Siavonga district in the Southern province, Sesheke, Kalabo and Shangombo in Western Province and Chama in Eastern Province.