The Famine Early Warning System of USAID anticipates that 20 million people in Southern Africa would require food assistance this year.

Zambia has halted its landmark digital identity rollout exercise due to the severe drought facing the country.

Last week, the government said the Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS) project would be postponed as part of attempts to free up financial resources to address the effects of the drought.

Jacob Mwiimbu, minister of home affairs and internal security, told legislators President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration had to realign the budget to protect civilians from the calamity.

The minister stated that the INRIS project, which began in 2022 to digitise the management of civil registration and national identification in Zambia, was expected to cost roughly $80 million.

More than one million Zambians had enrolled.

Mwiimbu stated that with the country enduring its worst drought in history, the government's priority had shifted to address the climate change challenge.

“The destruction caused by the prolonged dry spell threatens national food security, as well as water and energy supply. We are living in difficult times and difficult decisions have to be made,” said Mwiimbu.

The Famine Early Warning System of USAID anticipates that 20 million people in Southern Africa would require food assistance this year.

The drought in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi has reached crisis proportions. The drought is also hurting Botswana, Angola, Mozambique and Madagascar.