Media Network for Children’s Rights and Development (MNCRD) Executive Director, Henry Kabwe has called on government and Zambians to take advantage of the projected good rains during the 2024-2025 season to combat the current effects of climate change.

Mr Kabwe says good utilisation of water can help Zambians out of the poverty which was experienced this year.

“I would like to urge the government as well as Zambians to take advantage of the good rainy season as projected by the Meteorological Department,” Mr Kabwe said.

He however called for good planning at individual, family and national level to ensure that the season is not only used for farming, but preservation of water as well.

Mr Kabwe urged the government to provide necessary support to help families preserve the water adding that children are the most affected in times of drought.

“During drought, especially in rural areas children are forced to fetch water, provide cheap labour as well as get into early child marriages, to avoid this, there is need to store enough for the future,” Mr Kabwe said.

He emphasized that in times of drought, education is looked at as a burden and instead of children going to school, they are used to work and provide for the home.

Mr Kabwe called on the government to continue empowering families to ensure food security at household level.

He added that there was need to learn from the bible on what the Egyptians did when there was plenty, adding that in order for the country to recover from the impact of climate change, there is need to engage in economic activities for livelihood.