Zambia
1.1 Zambia Humanitarian Background
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Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

Natural Hazards

Type

Occurs

Comments / Details

Drought

Yes

Zambia has experienced drought conditions in various geographic areas annually since 2014. Climate change has created incidents of erratic weather conditions.

Earthquakes

Yes

An earthquake of a 6.1 magnitude was reported and centred in the southern area of Lake Tanganyika. Other small tremor activity has been noticed in 2017. Tremors can tend to spark confusion and panic in the rural areas.  

Epidemics

Yes

The majority of epidemics that occur in Zambia are due to environmental factors. According to the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2007, the country has challenges with respect to its preparedness and control of emerging and known epidemics, such as Cholera, Typhoid, HINI (Influenza A virus subtype H1N1), Avian Influenza and Measles.  

Pandemics

Yes

Zambia is ranked one of the highest in Southern Africa in terms of the number of confirmed and reported cases of the Covid-19 pandemic. As at first quarter of 2021, the country had cumulative covid-19 cases totaling 86,449 with cumulative death toll of 1,179. The Covid-19 pandemic has over-stretched the health sector in terms of capacity to adequately respond to the pandemic.

Extreme Temperatures

Yes

Only in the Valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa there is excessive heat, particularly in October and a high humidity during the wet season (September - November), when the highest temperatures of the year are recorded with peaks of about 35/37 °C (95/99 °F). From May to Aug temperatures can be as low as (0 °C or 32 °F).

Flooding

Yes

Annual flooding occurs affecting major infrastructure such as dams, roads and bridges.  The cycle of drought and flood events annually has increased risks from December to March; in these months, about 200 mm (8 in) of rain per month falls.

Insect Infestation

Yes

Reports from the Zambia Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit indicate that as of 9 January 2017, close to 130,000 ha planted maize had been affected by a severe outbreak of the Fall Armyworm, which is new to the southern African region. 

Mudslides

No

 

Volcanic Eruptions

No

 

High Waves / Surges

No

 

Wildfires

Yes

Small wildfires occur often in the dry season. The last major wildfire was in 2012. 

High Winds

Yes

During the dry season winds can fan bush fires.

Other Comments

 

Man-Made Issues

Civil Strife

No 

 

International Conflict

No

 

Internally Displaced Persons

No

 

Refugees Present

Yes

Refugees are from DRC, Angola, Rwanda and Burundi.  Increasing numbers of DRC refugees arriving in the country placing stress on the local area in Luapula Province.

Landmines / UXO Present

Yes

Caution to be taken on remote border areas with Angola, DRC, Zimbabwe and Mozambique due to past conflicts.

Other Comments

The arrival of a large numbers of refugees can impact on local populations and become a concern especially as conflict in the south of DRC increases.

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

Seasonal Effects on Transport

Transport Type

Time Frame

Comments / Details

Primary Road Transport

From October to March

The main road system is fairly robust and only susceptible to extreme floods in the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys. Rural areas of western and Northwestern part of the country are often cut-off due to heavy rains that washes away bridges and feeder roads. Most major roads are under maintenance such as the T2 from the Lusaka to Nakonde is in bad shape due heavy duty vehicles from and to Tanzania.  

Secondary Road Transport

From October to March

Secondary roads through valley bottoms and associated bridges are at risk.

Rail Transport

From October to March

Rail bridges are at risk due to floods.

Air Transport

 N/A

 N/A

Waterway Transport

 N/A

 N/A

The general elevation of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries. Three seasons can be identified:

  • Cool and dry from May to August (frost can occur on cloudless nights in valleys).
  • Hot and dry from September to November (night frosts may occur in places sheltered from the wind). The countryside dries up gradually with risk of grass fires, fanned by high winds.
  • Warm and wet from December to April; frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms occur, followed by spells of bright sunshine. Rivers and streams fill up almost overnight with risks of flash floods.

 Only in the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys there is excessive heat, particularly in October and, in the wet season, a high humidity.

Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling

Activity Type

Time Frame

Comments / Details

Storage

From October to March

The only concern is the location and condition of storage facility, during rains.

Handling

From October to March

Areas of handling need to be covered for protection from rain.

Other

 N/A

N/A 

In rural areas where temporary storage facilities are in use, the rain has  proved to affect accessibility to the storage and the ability to handle goods. Few large hard standing storage facilities are available in the rural areas.

  

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

Government

The Government of Zambia is the coordinator of disaster response in the country overall through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) headed by the Vice President’s Office.  The last update of the National Disaster Management Policy was instituted in 2014. The DMMU exercises its responsibilities through the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) comprised of Ministers.  The National Disaster Management Technical Committee (NDMTC) is the point where the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) participates to inform the UN response as part of the coordinated National response.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Zambia Government Contact List.

Humanitarian Community

The UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) is responsible for coordinating the UN emergency response in support of the Government of Zambia. Under the guidance of the UNRC, the UN Country Team (UNCT) is responsible for the effective and efficient implementation of inter-agency disaster management activities in Zambia.  Zambian Red Cross Society (ZRCS) is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

UN agencies, ZRCS and a network of NGO implementing partners will respond to an emergency in collaboration with and through the Government of Zambia emergency response structure.  In accordance with UN Humanitarian Reform and the cluster directions of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), Lead Agencies will ensure a coordinated action among partners in their respective sectors.

The refugees crossing from DRC is the most pressing potential humanitarian emergency issue in Zambia in September 2017.

Key agencies:  UNDP, FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, & WHO.

Website: http://www.zm.one.un.org/

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Zambia Humanitarian Agency Contact List.

 

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