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Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Nelly Mutti, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to not only uphold humanitarian principles but also ensure that humanitarian action becomes a central pillar of governance.
Mutti made the remarks in Geneva, Switzerland, at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and Related Meetings, during the general debate on the topic: upholding humanitarian norms and supporting humanitarian action in times of crisis.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday by National Assembly Senior Media Liaison Officer Nshamba Muzunga, Mutti emphasized that Zambia has a long-standing commitment to humanitarian principles, anchored on values of peace and respect for human dignity.
Mutti stated that the National Assembly of Zambia continued to play a critical role in advancing humanitarian action by strengthening the legal framework.
“This is being done through the enactment and review of laws such as the Disaster Management Act, the Refugees Act, and the Human Rights Commission Act,” she said.
She added that the National Assembly of Zambia had continued to advocate for increased allocations to social protection, healthcare, and disaster preparedness.
“Recognising that humanitarian action requires resources, the National Assembly of Zambia has advocated for increased allocations to social protection, healthcare, and disaster preparedness,” Mutti said.
She cited an increase of over 130 percent in funding for the Ministry of Health, from K9.7 million in 2021 to K23.1 million in the 2025 budget.
Mutti further stated that to enable state accountability and effective action during crises, the National Assembly established the Committee on Disaster and Risk Reduction in 2024.
“This is in order to oversee the operations of the Disaster Management Unit under the Office of the Vice-President, and the departments and agencies responsible for disasters,” she said.
She emphasized Zambia’s support for multilateralism, noting that the National Assembly had ratified relevant international instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol, the Convention Against Torture, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Mutti also highlighted Zambia’s collaboration with organisations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to harmonize disaster response and early warning systems across borders.
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The Speaker described Parliamentary committees as critical in ensuring that humanitarian responses were properly accounted for.
“Through Parliaments’ oversight function, Parliamentary committees play a pivotal role in ensuring that humanitarian response is properly accounted for,” Mutti said.
She noted that through committees such as the Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services, and the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly ensured that humanitarian responses were timely, effective, and reach intended targets.
Mutti highlighted Zambia’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastating drought in 2024, and the influx of refugees from warring neighbouring countries.
Speaker Mutti is accompanied to the 151st IPU Assembly and Related Meetings by Members of Parliament, including Harry Kamboni, Oliver Amutike, Jacqueline Sabao, Elias Daka, Kenny Siachisumo, and Imanga Wamunyima.
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