By 
Southern Province Minister, Credo Nanjuwa, has cautioned that intensifying climate change impacts—including prolonged droughts, water scarcity, and declining agricultural productivity—were increasingly threatening livelihoods across Zambia.
Speaking during an event at the Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya, Nanjuwa said the gathering came at a critical moment, with Southern Province already facing the harsh realities of climate variability. The event welcomed global delegates attending a high-level meeting on loss and damage in Livingstone.
He noted that for many communities, climate change had evolved from an abstract concern to a daily struggle affecting food security, energy systems, public services, and economic stability.
“Hosting the meeting near the iconic Mosi-oa-Tunya provides delegates with a direct perspective on both the region’s natural heritage and the environmental pressures it faces,” Nanjuwa said.
Livingstone Mayor, Constance Nalishebo Muleabai, underscored the frontline role of local authorities in responding to climate shocks, saying councils were often the first to manage disruptions to essential services and community livelihoods.
She called for improved access to funding to ensure rapid and effective support reached affected households.
Meanwhile, Camila Minerva Rodriguez, Co-Chair of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, expressed gratitude to the Zambian government for hosting the event and said she hoped the meeting would advance the broader global agenda on climate resilience.
Read More: Zambia pushes for global action on climate change at COP-30 summit
At the same event, Principal Planner in the Ministry of Education, Mang’ombe Tembo, warned that climate change was already destabilizing Zambia’s education sector.
“Droughts, floods, and extreme heat are damaging schools and interrupting learning across the country,” Tembo said.
He revealed that since 2005, Zambia had experienced 22 major climate events affecting 17 million people. During the 2023–24 El Niño drought, 60 percent of households reported children missing school due to hunger, water shortages, and power outages.
Tembo further disclosed that the country had lost about US$60 million in education since 2005, and an estimated five million student-years of learning had been disrupted—representing a projected US$4–5 billion in lost lifetime earnings.
He also cited rising dropout rates, increased student stress, and heightened risks for girls as climate impacts intensify.
Tembo appealed to global partners to integrate education into climate finance frameworks, warning that losses will escalate without urgent intervention.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments