Drought-hit communities in Africa to benefit from £350,000 emergency funding

The Scottish Government is to provide £350,000 of support to thousands of households in southern Africa at “crisis point” after suffering the worst drought in a century.

The charities Christian Aid and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) will each receive £175,000 from the Government’s humanitarian emergency fund (HEF) to help drought-affected communities in Zambia and Zimbabwe meet their immediate basic needs, including food and safe drinking water.

Sciaf will support 1,530 households in Zambia with cash transfers of 600 kwacha, equivalent to £17 a month, while Christian Aid will provide cash transfers to 562 drought-affected households in Zimbabwe.

Christian Aid will also promote services that work to prevent gender-based violence, which can increase during times of instability following major disasters.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Between a record drought exacerbated by the climate crisis and ongoing cholera outbreaks, the current situation in southern Africa looks very bleak.

“This funding will ensure people in some of the hardest-hit communities can put food on their families’ tables, buy basic essentials and safe drinking water – which is critical to prevent further spread of cholera.

“Scotland must fulfil its role as a good global citizen and a big part of that is supporting those who have contributed the least to climate change through the worst of its effects.”

Southern Africa experienced its driest February in 100 years in 2024, according to the UN, with estimates that between 40% and 80% of the maize crop was wiped out in areas where 70% of the population relies on agriculture to survive.

Sciaf chief executive Lorraine Currie said: “Right now, people in Zambia and neighbouring countries in Africa are at crisis point, with failed harvest after failed harvest.

“The root cause is climate change, which is ravaging the region.

“It’s making weather patterns more extreme, with more intense, more frequent droughts, floods and heatwaves.

“Rural areas, where most people farm to feed themselves are the hardest hit.

“This funding from the Scottish Government will literally save lives.

“Working through our local partners, we will make sure the most vulnerable people are reached with cash grants which will give them the freedom to quickly buy what their families need to survive.

“These are our sisters and brothers, and we will not forget them.”

Christian Aid Zimbabwe country director Aulline Chapisa said: “We’re deeply grateful for the Scottish Government’s commitment and support.

“This funding will enable 562 vulnerable households to access essential food items and will be delivered by our local partner the Zimbabwe Council of Churches.

“It will also help to significantly reduce levels of gender-based violence by improving access to information and support services.

“Sadly, we know that during times of crisis and food insecurity cases of domestic violence increase.

“Additionally, with extra funding from Christian Aid, we’ll be improving access to safe water supplies and supporting people to diversify their means of earning a living.”

The HEF was set up by the Scottish Government in 2017 to provide aid in the aftermath of crises, through eight leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland.

During 2023-24 Scotland provided £2.9m of humanitarian aid to nine countries in Africa and southern Asia, according to the HEF annual report for that year.

The support, which was awarded in response to crises including earthquakes in Afghanistan, Tropical Storm Freddy in Malawi and refugee displacement following conflict in South Sudan, is estimated to have benefited more than 745,000 people.