ZAMBIA URGED TO SCALE UP INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL FEEDING, CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

World Vision Zambia has called on the Government to increase investment in school feeding programmes, clean water access, and climate resilience following the commemoration of the 11th Africa Day of School Feeding held from February 28 to March 1, 2026. The continental event was commemorated under the theme “Ensuring Access to Nutritious Meals, Clean Water and Hygiene: Promoting Safety and Resilience in Every School Meal Investment.”

Zambia has made significant progress through its Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, which currently benefits more than 5 million learners across the country. Government has also increased the 2026 allocation for the programme to K542.9 million, targeting 6.6 million learners, alongside K100 million dedicated to school production units aimed at strengthening food supply within schools.

Despite these efforts, development partners warn that the sustainability and quality of school meals could be affected if critical gaps in water, sanitation, and climate-resilient agriculture are not addressed. According to the 2024 Ministry of Education Statistical Bulletin, about 21% of schools lack basic water services, while 9,647 schools have no water access at all. In addition, 17% of schools do not have sex-segregated toilets, a situation that affects hygiene, dignity, and school attendance, particularly among adolescent girls.

Gerald Kaputo, Associate Director for Advocacy at World Vision Zambia, noted that while K2.6 billion has been allocated to the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in the 2026 national budget, the amount represents only about 1% of total government expenditure, falling short of the recommended 5% target. He emphasised that access to clean water is essential not only for handwashing and food preparation but also for irrigation of school gardens that support nutrition programmes.

To strengthen the impact of school feeding initiatives, World Vision Zambia is urging the Government to prioritise fully funding the programme, expanding school production units and gardens, promoting climate-resilient crops such as orange maize, Mbereshi beans, and sorghum, and increasing investment in WASH infrastructure including solar-powered boreholes. The organisation also emphasised the need for stronger accountability in decentralised procurement to ensure food resources reach the intended beneficiaries.

As Zambia prepares to host the Global Child Nutrition Forum in November 2026, stakeholders say the country has an opportunity to showcase a holistic model that integrates nutrition, water access, and climate-smart agriculture in schools. Sustained investment in these areas, they say, will be critical to building a healthier and more resilient future for Zambia’s children.

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