Hichilema Warns of Hunger Crisis in SADC, Calls for Urgent Action

President Hakainde Hichilema has sounded the alarm over the deepening crises of climate change, conflict, and chronic poverty, which have combined to trigger a worsening hunger emergency affecting more than 21 million children across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Delivering his message at the 45th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Madagascar, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, said the President urged Member States to translate commitments into accelerated, coordinated action to address malnutrition.

President Hichilema recalled that Zambia endured a severe drought during the 2023/2024 farming season, which hit key sectors and left about 5.8 million people facing food and nutrition insecurity. However, he reported that favourable conditions in 2024/2025 had resulted in a bumper maize harvest of 3.7 million metric tonnes.

“Zambia is committed to continue working with all Member States to advance the transformation agenda, which will bring about a resilient, industrialised, food-secure, and energy-smart SADC region fit for the future and worthy of the hopes of the people,” he assured.

The President noted that the region still faces persistent challenges despite being richly endowed with natural resources, and he urged collective action to modernise agriculture and transition to cleaner, greener energy systems.

On food and nutrition security, he highlighted the Summit as a platform to reaffirm commitments to agricultural transformation, including scaling up fertilizer and seed production, adopting climate-smart technologies, improving soil testing, promoting conservation farming, and breaking down barriers to mechanisation.

Acknowledging the financial constraints faced by Member States, Hichilema underlined the importance of fulfilling regional contributions to sustain the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030.

The Summit, held under the theme “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” reviewed progress in implementing the RISDP, considered greater private sector participation, and discussed peace and security matters.

Minister Haimbe also conveyed President Hichilema’s congratulations to Madagascan leader Andry Nirina Rajoelina on his election as SADC Chairperson, while commending Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his leadership as outgoing Chair.

He stressed that the Summit’s theme was a call for immediate action to build inclusive, self-reliant, and resilient economies that can deliver a better quality of life for citizens across the region.