Zambia is largely a climate sensitive country characterized by her susceptibility to climate impacts evidenced mainly through natural events, particularly floods and prolonged dry spells/drought coupled with pest infestation alongside anthropogenic hazards such as population movement and human and livestock health issues reflected in disease outbreaks, compounding the food insecurity concern.
There has been a steady increase in both frequency and intensity over the years mainly attributed to climate variability. A review of existing literature, primary data collection and risk assessment including an analysis of common hazards in Zambia based on historical impact data, vulnerability and exposure indicators that was conducted in some parts of North Western Province show growing trends in this trajectory. Results of the assessment indicated that
Zambia is a country with a high exposure to floods and high vulnerability.
Hazard Even though Zambia is faced with various hazards,
floods pose the biggest threat to people’s livelihoods. Among the climate sensitive livelihood means threatened by these hazards include agriculture, encompassing both livestock and crop production, energy as the
Zambian economy runs on hydro-generated power which also relies on rainfall performance as water levels in the main reservoirs fluctuate seasonally. Floods further inhibit local mobility, including access to basic services such as markets, health, education and other functional elements.
EAP2020ZM01_Summary.pdf b.