Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga has urged Zambians to rally behind Republican President Hakainde Hichilema as he addresses social-economic challenges brought about by climate change. 

Mr Mwaanga says that the drought should not be blamed on President Hichilema as it is an act of global warming.

In an exclusive interview with ZANIS, the Veteran politician and freedom fighter said that the 2023/2024 drought has posed a huge threat on the country’s food.

” The 2023/2024 drought has posed a huge threat on the country’s food security with over one million people at risk of looming hunger, ” he said.

Mr Mwaanga added that President Hichilema requires the support for everyone as he provides leadership in the wake of poor harvest induced by climate change.

He described this year’s drought as the worst in decades.

Mr Mwaanga however expressed optimism that the measures put in place by Mr. Hichilema’s administration if fully actualised will cushion the impact of climate change in the country.

He encouraged government to intensify with the winter maize programme.

In view of the El-Nino effect during the 2023-2024 farming season, the southern half of Zambia experienced drought which made Mr. Hichilema to declare the prolonged dry spell a national disaster and an emergency.

The President said the drought has devastating consequences on many critical sectors such as agriculture, water availability and energy supply, risking national food security and livelihoods of millions of Zambians.