Surviving El Niño: Resilience and hope in the Face of Drought
In Southern Province of Zambia, the devastating effects of the El Niño drought are visible everywhere. The prolonged dry spell has wreaked havoc on agriculture, water availability, livestock, and energy supply, putting national food security and millions of livelihoods at risk. An estimated 9 million people in 84 districts are impacted.
The impacts of climate change and El Niño droughts are particularly harsh on smallholder farmers, whose crops and livestock are their lifeline. This is the story of two such households, battling the relentless drought with resilience and the support of World Vision Zambia.
Hope amid the destruction
Masempela Vivian, a farmer in Hamaundu Village, Pemba District, stands amidst her withered maize field, reflecting on the devastating toll the drought has taken on her community.
She recently farmed over an acre of maize and other crops, all of which have dried up under the scorching sun.
“I am broken to see the field like this,” says Vivian. “I don’t know how we will survive through the year.”
Her story is reflection of the many affected households. But Vivian has not lost hope.
Alongside other women in her village, she runs a garden that supplies vegetables to the community, providing a crucial source of income.
“My major source of income now is the garden. I am very lucky to be among those that were trained by World Vision on Empowered World View,” says Vivian.
The organization has built capacity in Vivian and her fellow villagers through initiatives like Savings for Transformation and Empowered Worldview, equipping them with the skills and resilience needed to withstand such crises.
"The drought has affected the whole community, and this is the worst one yet," Vivian says, her voice tinged with worry. "I fear for other households that are not engaging in gardening; they will be more hard-hit by the drought."
Despite the challenges, she remains grateful for the support that has enabled her and others to maintain some level of food security and income through their gardens.
"Because of the drought I lost all my investments, my only hope now is a small garden,” says Constance Musulumba, a mother of nine children.
In Demu Village, Pemba District, Ms. Constance Musulumba, a small-scale farmer with nine children, shares a similar story of struggle and resilience.
This farming season, she invested heavily in maize, sunflower, green beans, and other crops, only to watch them wither away due to the drought. The financial loss is significant, but Constance finds solace in the small garden she manages with guidance from World Vision Zambia.
The garden provides enough to sustain her family, and more importantly, she relies on her livestock—a herd of 86 goats and 30 chickens.
"Thanks to World Vision Zambia, we have these animals to fall back on," she explains. "But I fear I may have to sell more of them to cover expenses like school fees."
The drought has not spared her livestock either, as the lack of grazing land forces farmers like Constance to sell their animals to prevent them from dying of starvation.
The stories of Vivian and Constance underscore the pivotal role played by World Vision Zambia during desperate times. Through sustainable farming practices, savings groups, and livestock management programs, this organization empowers smallholder farmers to withstand climate shocks.
“The drought has brought unimaginable challenges,” says Vivian, her voice filled with determination. “But World Vision Zambia has equipped us with the tools to survive.” Constance echoes this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the training and resources that allow her to provide for her family, even in adversity.
As Zambia grapples with the far-reaching impacts of the El Niño drought, organizations like World Vision Zambia become lifelines. Their efforts not only provide immediate relief but also foster long-term resilience, ensuring families like Vivian’s and Constance’s can continue to fight and thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change.e stories of Vivian and Constance highlight the critical role of World Vision Zambia's interventions in aiding families during desperate times. By empowering communities through programs that focus on sustainable farming practices, savings groups, and livestock management, World Vision Zambia is helping smallholder farmers build resilience against climate shocks.
"The drought has brought unimaginable challenges," says Vivian, "but the support from World Vision Zambia has given us the tools to survive." Constance echoes this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the training and resources that have allowed her to provide for her family, even in the face of such adversity.
As Zambia grapples with the far-reaching impacts of the El Niño drought, the work of organizations like World Vision Zambia is vital. Their programs are not only providing immediate relief but also building long-term resilience, ensuring that families like those of Vivian and Constance can continue to fight and thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change.