Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Head of Africa Directorate Central and Southern, Ambassador Tiffany Sadler, has praised Zambia for its prompt response to alleviate food insecurity amidst the drought situation.

Recognizing the challenges brought on by adverse climate conditions, the Ambassador sympathized with Zambia and expressed her appreciation for the country’s initiatives aimed at improving the lives of its most vulnerable citizens.

During a field visit to Chilanga District, Ambassador Sadler, accompanied by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Ms. Angela Kawandami, and the Acting British High Commissioner to Zambia, Mr. Sam Waldock engaged with Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) beneficiaries to appreciate the impact of the programmes in alleviating poverty and improving the welfare of the vulnerable.

Expressing her confidence in Zambia’s ability to address the needs of its vulnerable populations, Ambassador Sadler commended the SCT and ECT programmes for their positive impact and encouraged beneficiaries to remain resilient.

Ambassador Sadler who earlier together with the Permanent Secretary, paid a courtesy call on Chilanga District Commissioner, Mr. David Sheleni acknowledged the significant strides the programmes have made in supporting those hit hardest by food shortages across the country.

And Ms. Kawandami highlighted that the Zambian government’s efforts, supported by the UK, have been “life-saving,” enabling the country to minimize the detrimental effects of the drought on its citizens, noting that without these interventions, the situation could have been much worse for many communities.

The Permanent Secretary also expressed gratitude for the financial and technical assistance provided by the UK government, which she said has enhanced Zambia’s capacity to address socio-economic challenges and alleviate poverty for over 1.3 million households.