Zambia receives $2million food aid from Russia, as over 2 million people reportedly remain food insecure

Zambia has reportedly received food assistance worth US$2 million from the Russian Federation following the handover of yellow split peas and vegetable oil, officiated by Vice President Dr. Mutale Nalumango.

The donation, implemented through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) with support from the World Food Programme (WFP), is aimed at supporting vulnerable communities affected by food insecurity across the country and reflects the strong bilateral relations between Zambia and Russia.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lusaka on Friday, Nalumango expressed gratitude to the Russian government for the timely support, which facilitated the procurement of 648 metric tonnes of yellow split peas and 93.8 metric tonnes of vegetable oil.

“The assistance is targeted at communities affected by the 2024 El Niño-induced drought, which impacted over six million people nationwide and continues to leave pockets of food insecurity despite the country recording a bumper national harvest,” she said.

Nalumango reaffirmed government’s commitment to food and nutrition security, climate resilience and effective partnerships.

“The handover represents more than the transfer of commodities and reflects a shared responsibility to protect lives, restore dignity, and ensure that no Zambian is left behind,” she said.

In his remarks, Russian Ambassador to Zambia Azim Yarakhmedov reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Zambia during difficult times.

Yarakhmedov said the US$2 million donation demonstrated Russia’s solidarity with the people of Zambia and expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation that continues to define bilateral relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, DMMU National Coordinator Norman Chipakupaku said Zambia was still grappling with the lingering effects of the 2024 drought, which severely disrupted livelihoods and food production in many parts of the country.

Chipakupaku said assessments showed that about two million people remained food insecure this year and are currently being supported through the Government-led food assistance programme coordinated by DMMU.

“The food commodities will be distributed to food-insecure households in 50 districts across nine provinces, with DMMU coordinating the process and the World Food Programme providing critical logistics support,” he said.

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