World Vision Zambia Welcomes National Food and Nutrition Security Policy, Calls for Stronger Action on Child Hunger
Lusaka, Zambia – Thursday, July 16, 2026: World Vision Zambia welcomes the launch of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy by the Office of the Vice President, a major step toward addressing child hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity across Zambia. The policy shows the Government's commitment to building a Zambia where every citizen has access to adequate, safe and nutritious food, and where all forms of malnutrition are eliminated.
“The policy responds positively to many priorities championed under World Vision Zambia's ENOUGH Campaign, launched in 2024 to end child hunger and malnutrition,” says Gerald Kaputo, World Vision Zambia Advocacy Associate Director. “The campaign advocates for stronger action on nutrition, food security, climate resilience, child wellbeing, and greater investment in nutrition-sensitive programmes.”
Among the policy's notable achievements, Mr. Kaputo points to recognition of the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral response involving health, agriculture, education, social protection, water and sanitation sectors.
“The policy prioritises nutrition education, behaviour change, food systems resilience, emergency preparedness and stronger financing mechanisms for food and nutrition programmes. These commitments hold potential to accelerate progress toward reducing child malnutrition and improving the well-being of vulnerable families across Zambia,” he says.
Mr. Kaputo stated that while the policy offers a strong foundation, important gaps remain in implementation.
“We encourage the government and stakeholders to ensure meaningful child participation in food and nutrition decision-making processes, and to establish strong accountability mechanisms tracking progress and investment in nutrition programmes,” he says.
He noted that greater emphasis should also fall on school feeding programmes and sustainable approaches such as school nutrition gardens and home-grown school feeding initiatives, approaches able to improve dietary diversity, strengthen nutrition education and support the sustainability of school meals.
"Children stand at the centre of this policy, and children must stand at the centre of its implementation," says Mr. Kaputo "Every child in Zambia deserves sufficient, healthy, nutritious food. This policy gives the country a shared roadmap. Now, the work of financing, delivering and monitoring the commitments begins, with children present at every step, not only as beneficiaries but as voices in decisions affecting their nutrition and wellbeing."
He states that the launch marks an important advocacy milestone. Still, lasting impact for children depends on adequate financing, effective implementation and sustained collaboration among the Government, civil society, development partners, communities and children themselves.
“As World Vision Zambia, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure every child enjoys sufficient, healthy, nutritious food and the chance to reach full potential,” says Mr. Kaputo.
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