Firm calls for partnerships to end extreme poverty, combat effects of climate change

Davis & Shirtliff has called for collaboration between the public and private sector to end extreme poverty and disparities caused by adverse climate change effects in Zambia and other parts of Africa.

The call came after Zambia declared the current drought situation as a national emergency and disaster.

Country Manager, Jonathan Mainga, urged the private sector, government and development partners to escalate investments in water projects in drought-prone regions.

Mainga in a statement on Friday expressed optimism that this would assist to prevent conflicts and foster peaceful coexistence among communities and help achieve sustainable development through technology.

“Urgent and long-term support with investments in key water infrastructure and effective management will serve as the ultimate pathway for Zambia to achieve universal water access and climate resilience while ensuring food security and by extension possible conflict,” he said.

On World Water Day, Mainga said it was becoming easier to move communities and the nation at large from rain-fed agriculture with targeted mapping out of all water infrastructure and deployment of technology

“Even during rainy seasons, we know that in no time the water comes and goes leaving communities in drought-prone regions back to the drawing board.

“But with the globally decreasing cost of solar PV modules and recent technological advances, solar installations are becoming increasing popular for powering boreholes in Zambia, helping expand water access for farming including for irrigation in every part of the country,” Mainga said.

According to the 2023 State of Africa Environment report, compiled by India’s Centre for Science and Environment, critical water basins across Africa were depleting due to unsustainable usage, becoming focal points for water competition and conflicts.

The report further warned that if the decline in natural capital, such as water basins, continues, approximately 1.5 billion Africans could face food insecurity by 2030, while a 1.2 billion would be exposed to water pollution, heightening tensions between countries and communities that share water resources.

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