[Event Recap] Government of Zambia launches the REPAIR project, informed by the World Bank's Disaster Risk Financing Diagnostic

On the 18th March 2026, the Government of Zambia officially launched their joining of the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) Program in Lusaka, Zambia. The event was attended by over 100 participants, representing key stakeholders. This included representatives from several ministries and departments of the Zambia government, private sector representatives such as insurance companies, and cooperating partners such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Risk Capacity (ARC) Ltd., and members of the civil society. Central to the event was the presentation of the Zambia Crisis and Disaster Risk Financing Diagnostic 2025, produced by the World Bank, which provided the analytical foundation informing the design of the REPAIR program.

Zambia has faced approximately 41 natural disasters and crises over the past 25 years, affecting more than 19 million people. In 2024, Zambia suffered a devastating drought impacting the food security of nearly 10 million people, with 6.6 million requiring emergency assistance. These were some of the shocking facts that Mr. Achim Fock, World Bank (WB) Country Manager for Zambia, highlighted in his welcoming remarks. With this context, he was able to emphasize the importance of prearranged financing, underscored by the World Bank diagnostic study's findings, which revealed the significant financial needs Zambia faces in disaster response. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambia Minister of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP), gave the keynote address, highlighting the importance of the World Bank's analytical work in informing the design of the REPAIR program and strengthening the MoFNP's budgeting process and response delivery system.

Building on the strategic vision set by the opening remarks, the World Bank team — Ms. Evie Calcutt, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, and Ms. Lucy Kumwembe, Disaster Risk Finance Consultant — presented the DRF Diagnostic, outlining the evidence base and analytical findings that shaped the REPAIR program's design. This was followed by an in-depth presentation of the program's instruments and implementation approach from Ms. Mercy Munoni, Assistant Director, Economic Management, MoFNP.

The event culminated in a panel discussion featuring Mr. Mulele Mulele, Permanent Secretary for Economic Management, MoFNP, Ms. Angela C. Kawandami, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Mr. Norman Chipakupaku, National Coordinator for Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, Mr. David Maslo, CEO, ARC Ltd, and Mr. Rhino Mchenga, Deputy Director for Economic Affairs from Malawi's Ministry of Finance. The discussion presented panelists' reflections on the DRF diagnostic and the value of the REPAIR program to Zambia, the role of the Social Cash Transfer program and risk reduction, and peer learning from Malawi.

Overall, the event covered several topics on the future of Zambia and its financial resilience to nature-based disasters. Some of the key takeaways from the event are:

1. Zambia remains highly vulnerable to climatic shocks. Structural challenges exacerbate these impacts, but resilience building and the use of prearranged financing can enable rapid response and help minimize losses.

2. Reliable disaster data and analytics are critical for informed budgeting processes, ensuring that potential disaster impacts on the fiscal budget are effectively considered.

3. Operational systems must be strengthened to cover the entire chain of intervention, not just financing. Effective disaster response requires predesigned planning, strong coordination across ministries, and robust delivery systems to ensure funds reach affected communities swiftly.

4. Partnerships and peer learning are vital for implementing disaster risk financing and response. Leveraging the capacity and expertise of stakeholders, while drawing lessons from other countries, adds significant value to Zambia's efforts.

Ultimately, the Government of Zambia's leadership — through the MoFNP's ownership and launch of the REPAIR program, built on robust World Bank analytical work — signals a significant step toward consolidating the country's disaster risk financing efforts and ensuring their long-term success.

This event was supported by the Risk Finance Umbrella Multi-Donor Trust Fund (RFU) administered by the World Bank. RFU supports low- and middle-income countries to build their financial resilience against disasters, climate shocks, and other crises. The REPAIR project launched during the event is supported by a grant from the Global Shield Financing Facility.