Vice President Mutale Nalumango wrapped up her official visit to Geneva, Switzerland, following engagements at two significant United Nations (UN) high-level events focusing on human rights and refugee protection.

The Human Rights 75 High-Level Event coincided with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN. Vice President Nalumango was part of a distinguished group of leaders attending the global human rights event. During the conference, she, along with other leaders, made commitments to support the protection of human rights and individual freedoms in their respective countries.

In her address to the conference delegates, Vice President Nalumango reiterated Zambia’s commitment to aligning its laws with the nation’s aspirations for enhanced protection of human rights.

While in Switzerland, the Vice President engaged in closed-door bilateral discussions with key figures from various international organizations. Among the notable discussions were meetings with the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General, Mami Mizutori, and the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Tanaka Akihiko.

In an interview with ZANIS, Vice President Nalumango revealed that the bilateral talks with cooperating partners focused on strengthening cooperation across various programs in Zambia.

During her stay in Geneva, Vice President Nalumango met with UN High Commissioners for Human Rights and Refugees, Volker Turk and Filippo Grandi, respectively.

The closing highlight of her Geneva schedule featured Vice President Nalumango as a keynote speaker at the Second Global Forum on Refugees. She shared the stage with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who addressed the forum via satellite, and High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

Zambia received praise during the global gathering for its robust refugee integration program, emphasizing inclusive development in refugee settlements to ensure shared amenities with host communities. Vice President Nalumango’s participation underscored Zambia’s commitment to global cooperation and its proactive role in addressing human rights and refugee protection.

Torrential rains have left a trail of destruction in Nangoma Constituency of Mumbwa District where over 60 housing units and public structures have been left without roofs.

The incident has also damaged a mothers’ shelter at Nangoma Mission Hospital leaving about 50 expecting mothers and 20 bedsiders without shelter.

Speaking when DMMU National Coordinator Dr. Gabriel Pollen visited the area, Mumbwa District Commissioner Namukolo Hayumbu said there was urgent need for government to provide alternative shelter to the expecting mothers before the situation worsens.

Mrs. Hayumbu appealed to government through DMMU to urgently rebuild the damaged structure and provide emergency shelter to the victims (mothers) to avoid the outbreak of diseases.

The District Commissioner disclosed that the affected mothers are currently being accommodate at the nearby classroom block which has no toilets and bathrooms.

She regretted that if not urgently attended to, the incident is likely to reverse the gains the country has recorded of ensuring that no mother dies while giving birth which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals on health.

At the time the National Coordinator visited, the affected mothers were found outside the damaged structure preparing meals while others were resting underneath the trees and small kitchen shelters.

And DMMU National Coordinator Dr. Gabriel said there was need to build stronger structures taking into account climate chance which has come with violent rains in most cases.

Dr. Pollen wondered why structure built many years ago were still standing while buildings that were built in recent years succumb to the storms.

The National Coordinator stressed the need to build back better after the storm by ensuring that the materials used are of good quality.

A team of Officers from DMMU led by the National Coordinator was in Nangoma constituency to conduct an assessment in order to ascertain the damage caused by the heavy rains.

The team visited Nangoma Mission Hospital and Mulungushi Clinic where some structures have been blown off and households in the area that have also been affected by the windy rains.

President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed the UPND government’s commitment to supporting musicians by allocating K400,000 towards the construction of recording studios in selected provinces. The move aims to empower artists and contribute to the growth of the country’s music industry.

The President expressed concern that musicians, especially those from distant provinces, face challenges in traveling to Lusaka or the Copperbelt for recording sessions. During a meeting with musicians from across the country at State House, President Hichilema encouraged artists to seize various empowerment opportunities provided by the government, particularly for the youth, to venture into diverse enterprises.

President Hichilema proposed the establishment of an artistic fund where stakeholders can contribute to fostering the growth of the music industry, enhancing its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Elias Mubanga assured musicians that the ministry would empower artists with funds in the coming year to enhance their skills. He emphasized a non-discriminatory approach to provide opportunities for musicians of all backgrounds.

“In 2024, the government will also provide funds to allow citizens, especially youths such as artists, to venture into agriculture, aiming to promote the agriculture sector,” stated Mr. Mubanga.

President Hichilema acknowledged the challenges faced by artists and musicians, including the need for improved medical schemes. The government is actively working to ensure that art and music contribute to promoting peace and unity among the Zambian people.

During the meeting, discussions covered various issues affecting the music industry, and President Hichilema assured artists of the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns. He encouraged musicians, primarily the youth, to explore entrepreneurial activities beyond their artistic endeavors. The President highlighted examples of artists who have successfully diversified into farming, carpentry, and bricklaying.

President Hichilema expressed gratitude to artists and musicians who played a crucial role in advocating for positive change in the past and stood with the government. The President concluded by thanking the artists and musicians for the constructive conversation at State House, emphasizing the importance of such engagement.