World Bank Grants $200M to Aid Vulnerable Zambians Amid Severe Drought

This World Bank support will play a critical role in enhancing Zambia's social protection framework, ensuring that assistance reaches those in need quickly and efficiently.

Over 1.6 million vulnerable Zambians, severely affected by the worst drought in the last 40 years, are set to benefit from a new World Bank grant aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the ongoing crisis.

Additional financing to the Scaling-up Shock Responsive Social Protection Project (SSRSP AF2) will allow Zambia to expand its Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program, which currently supports approximately 8.5 million people, 40 percent of Zambia's population, across 84 drought-impacted districts.

The SSRSP AF2 is funded by an International Development Association (IDA) grant of $200 million from the Crisis Response Window (CRW), along with a $7.6 million grant from the Zambia Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL) Multi-donor Trust Fund (MDTF).

"This additional financing is a critical intervention in our efforts to support those most affected by the drought in Zambia. It reaffirms the Bank’s commitment to building a resilient social protection system that can adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable citizens," said Achim Fock, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia.

In addition to direct financial assistance, the project will continue to bolster Zambia's institutional capacity and social protection delivery systems, enhancing the country's ability to respond more effectively and accountably to future shocks. This complements ongoing World Bank-funded social protection projects aimed at increasing climate adaptation and resilience.

"The emergency cash assistance, provided over a 12-month period, will support about 904,635 current SCT beneficiary households and extend to over 726,361 new households affected by the drought. This financing aims to mitigate the escalating impacts of the drought by ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive timely and effective support," said Nadia Selim, World Bank Senior Social Protection Specialist for Zambia.

This World Bank support will play a critical role in enhancing Zambia's social protection framework, ensuring that assistance reaches those in need quickly and efficiently. This initiative aligns with the broader World Bank and Government objectives of promoting sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of Zambia's poorest populations.