To mitigate the effects of climatic change, create a green environment, and promote afforestation, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services has planted 238 trees at Nakambala Approved School in Southern Province.

Led by the Permanent Secretary, Ms Angela Kawandami, Mazabuka District commissioner Mr. Oliver Mulomba, Directors and Ministry staff, participated in the tree planting exercise to respond to calls for the promotion of a green environment.

The Permanent Secretary said that climate change continues to negatively affect the livelihoods of the people especially the poor and vulnerable who are disproportionately affected by its effects.

Ms Kawandami said one of the most effective ways to combat climate change is creating healthy, resilient forests that can help regulate our climate by absorbing and retaining carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“The resources for this exercise have not come from government or any cooperating partner but contributions from our members of staff that have been attending the report writing workshop here at Nakambala Approved School”, she disclosed, and appealed to all Zambians, individually and collectively to take action and join the reforestation crusade to defeat climate change and protect livelihoods.

She said investing in reforestation will certainly help slow climate change, and provide many benefits to both humans, livestock, and the environment in the short and long term “to help restore our earth”.

Ms. Kawandami further said the Ministry will therefore plant 100,000 trees by 2026 at various institutions under the Ministry to promote a green environment through afforestation.

“As you are all aware, since 2000, Zambia has experienced nearly annual episodes of droughts, dry spells, and floods that have negatively impacted key sectors of the country’s economy and led to significant economic and livelihood losses,” Ms Kawandami said, and regretted that due to challenges, 84 of the country’s 116 Farming communities in these districts have since lost over 70% of their crops.

Meanwhile, Mazabuka District Commissioner, Mr Oliver Mulomba, thanked the Ministry for planting the trees and encouraged various stakeholders to follow suit in ensuring that issues of climate change are prioritized.