Government plans El Niño preparedness as rainfall outlook warns of a dry start to 2027

LUSAKA. On 10 October Dr Siame received a courtesy call from the Civil Society Consortium on Climate Policy and Advocacy, led by coordinator Abel Musumali. The ministry says the strategy is aligned to the Ninth National Development Plan and involves nine ministries. The consortium proposed a marathon to raise awareness on El Niño. **What the rainfall outlook says (SARCOF-33, via Zambian Observer, 29 August)** | Province | Drought risk | |---|---| | Southern | High | | Western | High to moderate | | Lusaka | Moderate to high | | Central | Moderate to high | | Eastern | Moderate | | Copperbelt | Moderate | | North-Western and Muchinga | Low to moderate | | Northern and Luapula | Low (flooding possible in Northern) | Dry conditions may be widespread from January to March 2027. FEWS NET also reports a consistent El Niño signal for southern Zambia. **Related plan.** The Disaster Risk Management Division (under the Vice President's office) has finalised the 2026/2027 El Niño Cluster Readiness, Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan (Lusaka Times, 3 October). The coordinator is Norman Chipakupaku. The plan covers agriculture, food security, health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, energy, protection and logistics. It rests on the Disaster Management Amendment Act No. 2 of 2026. The seasonal forecast points to below-normal rain in the south and above-normal rain in the north. On 7 October Dr Siame said warnings only matter if they lead to action (Lusaka Times). The Food Reserve Agency is building the strategic reserve to over one million tonnes. Boreholes are being drilled in at-risk areas. Zambia has had African Risk Capacity drought cover since 2019, with payouts in 2021/22 and 2024/25. **Verification notes.** The consortium visit and the nine-ministry strategy rest on the ministry statement. No budget, timeline or lead agency has been published for any of the plans. **Sources:** Ministry of Green Economy and Environment; Zambian Observer; FEWS NET.