Hichilema extols Zambia, World Vision 43 years partnership

President Hakainde Hichilema has urged World Vision Zambia and other organizations to provide a detailed checklist of the challenges they face in implementing developmental projects, saying this would help Zambia benchmark solutions by studying best practices from other countries that have overcome similar issues.

The President made the appeal on Tuesday during a meeting with World Vision International President, Andrew Morley, and his delegation at State House.

“Can we have a checklist to say these are the challenges we face? Then we can work together, on our side, to be more efficient and it allows us to spend more time delivering on more projects rather than sitting in meetings, going to offices seeking approvals—that’s the ask I make to your office, my office, from the country office,” President Hichilema said.

Emphasizing the value of learning from World Vision’s extensive experience, President Hichilema added, “Apart from that we are also seeking from you—you operate from over 100 countries, you have seen it all and your team has seen it all—how other countries have approached it so that we do not re-invent the wheel.”

Hichilema underscored Zambia’s vulnerability to climate change impacts, particularly drought and its adverse effects on national security, the economy and human welfare.

“Food insecurity, energy deficits, and economic contraction are serious concerns. Zambia is a mono-hydro country, relying heavily on hydropower. We are working to diversify our energy sources to better prepare for the future,” President Hichilema stated.

He emphasised that the government had prioritised water harvesting and dam storage to mitigate the impacts of future droughts and had begun geological mapping for groundwater exploration.

Hichilema also highlighted the importance of renewable energy, particularly solar power, to diversify Zambia’s energy mix, stressing that partnerships would be essential to address these challenges.

Reflecting on the drought’s unintended benefits, he called it a “blessing in disguise,” pointing to new opportunities such as investment in water storage and harvesting.

“Zambia has partnered with World Vision for 43 years. We need to strengthen this partnership to boost investments in water harvesting, storage, and renewable energy while fostering resilience and adaptation strategies,” he said.

Hichilema further affirmed government’s commitment to providing clean drinking water, improving rural sanitation, and ensuring accessible healthcare services.

World Vision International president, Andrew Morley, outlined the organization’s contributions, noting that they have drilled over 1,600 hand pumps, rehabilitated 725 water points, and built 447 solar-powered water systems, providing clean water to more than 737,000 people in rural Zambia.

Additionally, he claimed that they had supported 317 schools and 147 healthcare facilities.

“Our partnership with the Zambian government, grounded in shared values and mutual respect since 1981, has been instrumental in bringing essential support to communities,” Morley stated.

He added that World Vision Zambia’s current strategy aimed to enhance the well-being of 1.5 million children over the next two years, with significant progress already visible.

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