ZAMBIA: Over 2.3 Million People Are Food Insecure

As the world commemorated World Food Day on 16^th October, 2019, Caritas Zambia has reiterated the conviction that food is a basic human right though one in nine people globally experience chronic hunger, yet there are 2.3 million Zambians believed to be food insecure.

“As followers of Christ, Jesus told us that the mark of being truly his disciple is to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters who suffer, “for I was hungry and you gave me to eat.” Mathew 25: 35, “…I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. Everyone needs food for the body,” said Caritas Zambia Programmes Specialist Musamba Mubanga.

She attributed the insecurity in the country to food being either unavailable to them or unaffordable, and for some the combination of both.

With Zambia having over 2 million in subsistence farming, which translates to over 12.5 percent of the entire population, Caritas Zambia with its partners acknowledge the key role of the small scale farmers in ensuring food security not only in Zambia but world over.

Ms Mubanga has emphasized the need for concerted efforts in reducing food loss and waste which has remained high with one-third of the food produced globally being thrown away despite hunger being on the rise in some parts of the world.

“Pope Francis said, Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of the poor and the hungry. This culture of waste has made us insensitive even to the waste and disposal of food, which is even more despicable when all over the world, unfortunately, many individuals and families are suffering from hunger and malnutrition. As such, it is an act of love to help others to obtain their bodily nourishment, especially those in greatest need”, she added.

Ms Mubanga says stakeholders have high expectations from government on how it will address the situation and and provide a clear road map on climate change and food wastage among other issues affecting food security: food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability will be addressed to guarantee food security.

She said this year’s World Food Day must be used to reflect on the need to recognise the role that local foods play in nutrition and food security, and addressing issues of hunger but also the need for Zambians to redefine their consumption habits and a sustainable diet.