A delegation from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) concluded an eight-day mission to Zambia on 8 October 2026, UNICEF Zambia said in a press release that day. The visit focused on how EU humanitarian support and partnership help strengthen the country's preparedness for and response to emergencies affecting children and communities, as Zambia faces overlapping climate-related and public health crises, including cholera.

Logistically coordinated by UNICEF, the mission ran from 28 September to 7 October, according to the release. It brought together Zambian government bodies, including the Disaster Risk Management Division and the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, UN agencies, the Zambia Red Cross Society and IFRC, Action Against Hunger, civil society and the EU Delegation. Partners reviewed progress, challenges and lessons, then visited ECHO-supported work in Western and Luapula provinces.

UNICEF reported that its cholera-related efforts reached 1.4 million people with life-saving information, while water-quality interventions helped 138,250 people access safe water in the last cholera season. Partners also discussed anticipatory action for the 2026/27 season as Zambia prepares for El Niño impacts. The release said key observations included building local systems, protection mainstreaming and need-based prioritization.