Kafue Families Receive Water Supplies as Communities Prepare for El Niño

Two hundred households in Shamanjanji Village, Kafue District, have received water storage buckets and chlorine packs as part of efforts to strengthen community preparedness for El Niño and reduce the risks associated with unsafe drinking water.

The distribution of 200 water storage buckets and 200 chlorine packs was part of a Community Water Economy Dialogue organised by Africa Access Water (AfAW), bringing together residents and officials to discuss how reliable water supplies can support health, farming and household resilience.

Held under the theme “El Niño Preparedness: Water Beating Poverty in the Face of El Niño! Water is Life and Wealth!”, the meeting focused on helping families understand the potential effects of El Niño on rainfall, water availability and crop production.

Participants received guidance on recognising El Niño warning signs, adopting drought-tolerant crops, practising conservation farming and using water more efficiently. Health sessions also covered safe water storage, household chlorination, handwashing and the prevention of cholera and diarrhoeal diseases.

AfAW Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Rodney Katongo said water should be viewed not only as a basic social need but also as a resource that can generate income and strengthen household food security.

He said communities continued to face challenges accessing reliable water supplies, making partnerships and investment in water infrastructure important to improving livelihoods.

The organisation reports that its work across 10 project and demonstration sites has provided clean drinking water to 30,000 people. It also says 600 households have achieved food security through productive water use, generating a combined annual income of US$210,000.

During the dialogue, AfAW Co-Founder and Chairman Paul Kapanda urged residents to prepare for the possible effects of El Niño, while District Agriculture Coordinator Dr Raphael Muyaule encouraged households to adopt practical measures to protect their food supplies and sustain production.

Dr Muyaule advised farmers to secure and store the maize they have, use appropriate seed and embrace conservation farming. He also reaffirmed his office’s readiness to work with communities and partners to address agricultural challenges linked to El Niño.

The health implications of water shortages were also highlighted by Acting District Health Officer Jane Mwale, who explained the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene measures in reducing the risk of diseases such as cholera.

Kafue District Council District WASH Coordinator Luckson Mbao expressed readiness to collaborate with AfAW, while Headwoman Shamanjanji welcomed the initiative and thanked the organisation for bringing the dialogue to her community.

Africa Access Water UK Office representative Dillon Maurice said the turnout demonstrated the value of supporting locally led organisations. He added that the organisation was also interested in supporting Zambia’s agricultural development and improving crop yields over the next decade.

AfAW says it will continue working with communities and partners to expand access to safe drinking water and promote its productive use, linking water security with better health, stronger livelihoods and resilience to climate-related challenges.