Lusaka, Zambia – 26th October 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a campaign to combat growing cases of human-wildlife conflict in Livingstone, Zambia. Launched on the 25^th of October 2024 the crowdfunding campaign, which is named: The Antoomwe Campaign aims to raise US$100,000, as a timely response to the dual crises of severe drought and increasingly dangerous encounters between communities and wildlife living in and outside of the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park. 

The Antoomwe Campaign: named after the ideals of acting together, was launched to address the severe effects of the ongoing drought have exacerbated the already existing conflict between communities and wildlife, leaving an estimated 9.8 million people affected, and 2 million people acutely food insecure. As water sources dry up and food becomes scarcer, wildlife, particularly elephants, are venturing into communities, leading to an increase in human-wildlife conflict. Tragically, this conflict has already resulted in the loss of human life.  

The Campaign was launched with an art exhibition and gathered key stakeholders, including representatives from the Disaster Mitigation and Management Unit (DMMU), the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, civil society, private sector partners, artists, conservation activists, and local communities.  

Speaking during the launch, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. James Wakiaga expressed his gratitude to stakeholders for demonstrating an interest in the Campaign, which reveals their interest to address one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the region today, “Today’s launch is about more than just fundraising. It’s about building strong partnerships and taking collective action to protect the people and wildlife that are integral to Livingstone’s natural heritage. We are incredibly grateful to our distinguished guests and supporters of environment activists for showing your commitment for this critical initiative,” said Mr. Wakiaga. 

Three key areas to mitigate this crisis are: 

1. Establishing Water Points – Constructing new water points and refurbishing existing ones within Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, providing wildlife with safe access to water and reducing the likelihood of animals venturing into human settlements. 
2. Building Alternative Livelihoods – Supporting local communities with alternative livelihoods to ease the pressure on natural resources and decrease the likelihood of conflict with wildlife. 
3. Providing Education & Sensitization – Conducting education and awareness campaigns on coexisting with wildlife to foster resilience and understanding within affected communities. 

The anticipated outcomes of this campaign include a reduction in human-wildlife conflict and improved coexistence between communities and wildlife in and around Livingstone.

In the spirit of togetherness, the Antoomwe Campaign invites individuals and organizations to join in making a tangible difference. As the Campaign's Administrators, the UNDP urges everyone — both locally and internationally — to contribute even as little as $10, to help us protect iconic species such as elephants, rhinos, and hippos, while also securing the livelihoods of our local communities. 

The exhibition is open to the public from the 26^th to the 29^th of October at The Space at Agora Village. There, visitors can tour the art exhibition and listen to the stories of those most impacted by human-wildlife conflict in and around the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park.

For more information and to donate, please visit Antoomwe site: undp.org/zambia/antoomwe. Together, we can turn this crisis into an opportunity for positive, lasting change. 

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For more information and media interviews, contact: 

Benson Mwileli, Campaign Manager (UNDP Zambia), benson.mwileli@undp.org; +260967560043 

Mercy Khozi, Communications Analyst (UNDP Zambia), mercy.khozi@undp.org; Mobile: +260966750787 

ABOUT THE ANTOOMWE CAMPAIGN 

The Antoomwe Campaign is founded on three core pillars: Unity, Community, and Conservation. By addressing the challenges of human-wildlife conflict head-on, the campaign aims to take communities and wildlife in Livingstone from Conflict to Coexistence. Learn more at: undp.org/zambia/antoomwe

ABOUT UNDP 

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in some 177 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. Learn more at: undp.org