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In any crisis, children's needs must come first.
In recent years, Zambia has faced a growing number of environmental related crises, with devastating consequences for children. The country has witnessed an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, particularly droughts and floods, further weakening already vulnerable communities. The 2023/2024 agricultural season saw one of the worst droughts in decades, attributed to the El Niño weather phenomenon, which affected over 1.6 million farming households, leaving many families on the brink of starvation.
Although the Zambian government has made commendable strides by implementing free primary education, the impact of environmental shocks continues to create significant barriers to learning. Approximately 1.2 million people in Zambia are currently facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), directly affecting children’s well-being and their ability to attend and perform in school (IPC, 2024). As food prices soar and livelihoods deteriorate, many children are forced to leave school to help support their families or are unable to access basic educational materials.
At ChildFund, we believe that in times of crisis, children must be prioritized—not left behind. We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable by delivering both emergency relief and long-term, sustainable solutions that tackle the root causes of poverty and environmental challenges.
Our Impact
6,528
mothers trained in preparing nutritious, balanced meals using affordable, locally available foodstuffs, enabling families to improve child nutrition.
12,266
children reached with comprehensive nutrition interventions, including micronutrient supplementation, therapeutic feeding, and nutrition education to improve health outcomes.
405
youth trained as environmental champions with skills in tree planting, water conservation, waste management, sustainable land use, and disaster risk management to boost community resilience.
80,000 +
children screened for malnutrition, enabling early identification and timely treatment of wasting and stunting, significantly reducing child morbidity and mortality risks.
Facts and figures from 2024 data.
How we Support Children & Families after Emergencies
Our Approach
We respond rapidly to emergencies by delivering critical support to children, families, and communities. This includes distributing food, clean water, blankets, hygiene kits, and other essential supplies. In some cases, ChildFund provides direct financial assistance so families can buy what they need most urgently, ensuring that help is tailored to their specific circumstances.
In the aftermath of a crisis, ChildFund establishes safe, child-centered spaces where children can play, learn, and begin to recover from trauma. These safe zones not only protect children from exploitation and harm but also offer structured activities that support emotional healing. Meanwhile, parents are given time to access vital services such as food, water, shelter, and medical care.
We work proactively with communities to build resilience before disasters strike. Through education and training, children, families, and local leaders learn how to prepare for and respond to emergencies. This helps minimize risk, improve safety, and support faster recovery when disasters occur.
Featured Project
ChildFund’s Emergency Nutrition Response to the 2023/2024 Drought Crisis in Chongwe, Kafue, Chilanga, Rufunsa and Shibuyunji
In response to the severe drought that affected Zambia during the 2023/2024 farming season, ChildFund launched an Emergency Nutrition Response Project, reaching over 18,000 mothers and children in five of the hardest-hit districts: Chongwe, Kafue, Chilanga, Rufunsa, and Shibuyunji.
The project aimed to improve the nutritional status and wellbeing of vulnerable children under five in affected communities. Key interventions included the provision of iron-rich food supplements and support for therapeutic and supplementary feeding programs to reduce cases of moderate and acute malnutrition in children.
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