Which authorities coordinate disaster warnings and emergency response in Zambia?

The National Disaster Risk Management Division in the Office of the Vice-President coordinates national disaster management. The Zambia Meteorological Department issues official weather and hydrometeorological warnings, while provincial, district and local structures support dissemination and response.

Which emergency numbers should someone use during a disaster in Zambia?

Call 991 for the Zambia Police Service, 992 for ambulance services or 993 for the Fire Brigade. Report the exact location, hazard, injuries, threatened people and whether roads or bridges remain accessible.

How are evacuations organized during a declared disaster in Zambia?

A presidential disaster-area declaration can authorize evacuation, temporary shelters, movement restrictions and emergency accommodation. Local disaster management committees identify safer locations and give the practical instructions because Zambia has no single evacuation plan or registration system for every hazard.

How can households request disaster relief in Zambia?

Households can report needs through local authorities, district or provincial disaster management committees, satellite committees, chiefs or community channels. Relief depends on needs assessment, verification, available supplies, funding and the circumstances of the disaster, so there is no automatic universal payment.

Which disasters create the greatest widespread risk in Zambia?

Floods and prolonged dry spells or droughts create the broadest national effects on food, water, energy, transport, infrastructure and livelihoods. Flood exposure is pronounced in the Zambezi, Barotse, Kafue, Luapula and Chambeshi areas, while flash floods also affect small valleys and Lusaka's urban drainage.

Disasters in Zambia

Disasters in Zambia include floods, droughts, severe storms, fires, landslides, accidents and other emergencies that seriously threaten people, livelihoods, infrastructure or the environment. Floods and prolonged dry spells are especially significant: the 2023/24 drought affected 84 of 116 districts and left about 9.8 million people affected, with 6.6 million needing emergency assistance. Zambia's National Disaster Risk Management Division coordinates preparedness, warnings, response and recovery through national, provincial, district and community structures.

Tip

Treat flood, flash-flood, drought and severe-storm risks differently instead of relying on one general emergency plan. Use official ZMD and DRMD warnings, follow local evacuation instructions quickly and prioritize people at immediate risk over property. Do not assume that government relief or compensation will automatically cover transport, lost income, damaged assets or replacement costs.

byMartha&Mutale

The current national framework is based on the Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2010, amended by the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2026, assented to on 31 March 2026 and gazetted on 8 April 2026. The National Disaster Risk Management Policy 2024–2028 guides planning and risk reduction. The National Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) in the Office of the Vice-President leads national planning, coordination, monitoring, warning, preparedness, response and recovery. Older plans and web pages may still use the name Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU). The National Disaster Risk Management Council and Technical Committee connect with provincial, district and satellite disaster risk management committees. Zambia has 10 provinces and district disaster management officers, while local authorities, traditional leaders, ministries, the Zambia Police Service, Fire Brigade, Zambia National Service, NGOs, the Red Cross and other partners support local action. Flooding is concentrated in areas such as the Zambezi and Barotse flood plains, Kafue Flats, Luapula and Chambeshi areas. Flash floods can also affect small valleys and urban drainage systems in Lusaka. Drought and prolonged dry spells can reduce water, food production, energy supply and household income, particularly in the southern half of the country. Other risks include extreme heat, rain and windstorms, lightning, landslides, fires, chemical spills, transport, industrial and mine accidents, pests and animal or plant disease. Disease outbreaks, unsafe water and displacement can become part of a disaster chain, although health and crime remain separate primary topics. The Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) provides official weather, climate and hydrometeorological information. Its products include daily, weekly and seasonal forecasts, two- to six-hour nowcasts, flood and flash-flood monitoring, alerts and advisories. DRMD coordinates the distribution of warnings through public authorities, media and community systems. The Community-Based Early Warning System supports local communication, but remote coverage, separate information systems, data limitations and financing gaps can reduce reach. The Early Warning for All programme targets universal coverage by 2027. For immediate danger, call Zambia Police on 991, ambulance services on 992 or the Fire Brigade on 993. Give the exact location, describe the hazard, state whether anyone is injured or dead, identify people at risk and report whether access roads or bridges are open. The Police National Command Centre can coordinate emergency and disaster operations, while the DRMD Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and provincial and district structures mobilize resources. Follow official warnings, avoid unsafe floodwater and bridges, protect vulnerable people and animals where possible, and do not obstruct responders. A presidential declaration of a disaster area can authorize temporary shelters, evacuation, movement or traffic restrictions, premises control and emergency accommodation. Local committees identify safer locations and should consider access, food, water, sanitation, medical support, communications and storage. Zambia does not have one universal evacuation plan, public registration process or nationwide evacuation map evidenced for every hazard, so local instructions determine the practical procedure. Government relief is needs-based and coordinated through DRMD, line ministries, local authorities and district, provincial or satellite committees. Chiefs and community channels may help people report needs and reach assistance. Relief can include search and rescue, evacuation, food, water, shelter or tents, sanitation supplies such as chlorine, healthcare, clothing and immediate security. Children, older people, people with disabilities, pregnant people, people with chronic illness, migrants, refugees and low-income households may receive priority. Assistance depends on reporting, verification, available supplies, funding and sometimes a formal declaration or response plan; Zambia has no automatic universal disaster payment. After an event, authorities and partners assess damage and needs, restore livelihoods and assets, rehabilitate or rebuild infrastructure and strengthen resilience. Common priorities include roads and bridges, water-treatment facilities, schools, shelters, energy and hydropower, telecommunications, agriculture and livestock. In the 2025 Lundazi floods, damaged bridges, a water-treatment plant, homes and schools required assessment and support; government and DRMD, with Zambia National Service involvement, supplied water by bowsers, food, chlorine and tents for more than 250 households. Recovery may draw on public revenue, the National Disaster Relief Trust Fund, partners and risk-insurance arrangements such as the African Risk Capacity. No standard citizen claim procedure, guaranteed payment or uniform recovery deadline has been established for every disaster. Private evacuation, transport, replacement income and livelihood losses are not generally shown as automatically compensated.