“The droughts are coming more often, and they’re getting worse,” Leonard Zulu, UNFPA’s Youth Development Analyst and the coordinator of the work in Zambia’s Southern Province explained. “This isn’t just an abstract crisis — it’s our reality. It’s affecting our agriculture, our health, our way of life.”

This June 17, on Desertification and Drought Day, we’re highlighting the urgent need to support women and girls who endure disproportionate challenges due to environmental disasters.

In times of crisis, women and girls are among the most vulnerable. Even while navigating extreme loss and destruction, women continue to give birth, girls manage their periods, and women and girls survive much higher rates of physical and sexual violence.

Deliver the gift of hope and critical sexual and reproductive care to women and girls navigating ecological and humanitarian crises including drought and desertification today.

The people of Zambia rely on hydroelectric power, making the most recent drought last year extremely devastating. Prolonged dry spells caused water shortages, drying up rivers and reservoirs, and devastated crop yields — especially maize, the country’s staple — leading to food insecurity.

Power cuts added another layer of hardship. In some areas, communities endured up to 20 hours of darkness daily. For women and girls, this compounded their vulnerability, making them even more susceptible to violence and exploitation.

In regions like Zambia affected by humanitarian crises, women and girls bear the brunt — facing famine, water insecurity, heightened risks of displacement, and little to no access to lifesaving resources and care.

But with the compassion and generosity of supporters like you, UNFPA’s impact has been far-reaching. Over 240,000 people received services through mobile clinics staffed by nurses and local health professionals, while more than 54,000 young people found support through innovative approaches like dance classes, safe spaces, and creative workshops run by the Young Women’s Christian Association of Zambia. These programs are lifelines, addressing both immediate health needs and the mental and emotional toll of the crisis.

Leonard shared, “Before, women had to walk miles just to access care. Now, we’re bringing services to them…” He said, “The drought didn’t just take food off people’s plates; it took away their sense of security. Many of the women and girls we work with have spent years building safe spaces — and suddenly, everything felt uncertain again.”

Your support can change — and save — lives. UNFPA’s mission to empower women and girls by providing them with the sexual, reproductive, and psychological resources they need to overcome adversity and thrive in their communities is made possible by gifts from supporters like you.

The gift you make today can be a lifeline, providing essential services that improve health, education, and economic opportunities for women and girls in Zambia and across the globe enduring drought and humanitarian disasters. Send a lifesaving gift to women and girls to help deliver critical reproductive health care, promote gender equality, and foster conditions where women and girls can lead healthier, more empowered lives.

Thank you for empowering women and girls to create a future where they can thrive and reach their full potential.

— USA for UNFPA