Zambia's government and UNICEF used the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October 2026 to call for early action to protect children from a very strong El Niño expected to shape the 2026/2027 rainy season. According to the national seasonal rainfall forecast, prolonged dry spells threaten southern and central Zambia, while above-normal rainfall is expected in parts of Luapula, Northern and Muchinga provinces, raising flooding risks.

UNICEF climate-risk data cited by the agencies show that an estimated 4.2 million children in Zambia (39.9 per cent) live in areas exposed to drought and about 200,000 children (1.9 per cent) in areas exposed to riverine flooding. The press release says these figures measure geographic exposure to individual hazards, not forecasts of the coming El Niño, and that Zambia-specific projections of children expected to be exposed are not currently available. More than 40 million children in eight countries across Eastern and Southern Africa are expected to face unusually wet or dry conditions between October and December 2026, according to a UNICEF analysis.

Zambia's Disaster Risk Management Division has finalised a 2026/2027 El Niño readiness and anticipatory action plan with support from ministries, the United Nations and partners. The agencies also urged families to follow official weather updates, protect food and water supplies and keep children away from floodwaters.