RCJ Calls for Urgent El Niño Resilience Action, Announces Agroforestry Summit in Mpika

The Restoration for Community Justice (RCJ) has called for urgent and coordinated action to strengthen Zambia's climate resilience ahead of the anticipated El Niño season, warning that the phenomenon is expected to intensify droughts, floods and food insecurity across the country.

In a media statement, RCJ Executive Director Mathews Mulenga said these climate shocks threaten rural livelihoods and risk reversing hard-won development gains in food security and health. He said proactive investments in climate adaptation, sustainable land management and agroforestry are essential to reduce vulnerabilities in affected communities, describing agroforestry as a proven pathway to restore degraded land, enhance food production and diversify rural incomes.

To advance that agenda, Mulenga said RCJ is convening an Agroforestry Summit in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, which he described as a critical platform for action. The summit, he said, will link grassroots innovation with national climate frameworks, including Zambia's Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans, and aims to mobilise partnerships between government, local communities and international agencies to scale up agroforestry solutions.

Mulenga stressed that rural voices, particularly those of farmers, youth and women, must be central to shaping Zambia's climate response, and said inclusive dialogue and knowledge exchange at the summit will accelerate implementation of the country's climate commitments. He warned that without immediate action, the coming El Niño season could severely undermine progress in rural development and health, and described the summit as a rallying point for collective responsibility, inviting all stakeholders to support the effort toward a more resilient Zambia.