Zambian economist, Trevor Hambayi, says the over 200 million dollar grant approved by the World Bank to help his country combat the severe drought affecting the region, is not focused on financing the long-term measures that could enable the country to respond to the challenges that may arise as a result of the el-nino induced drought.

Announced by Zambia's Finance Ministry, the grant aims to assist Lusaka in mitigating the drought's impact by providing direct cash transfers to affected households.

It will support over 1-point-6 million households across 84 drought-impacted districts for 12 months, doubling the monthly aid per household from 8-point-30 dollars to 16-point-60 dollars.

Channel Africa's Thuto Ngubeni spoke to Zambian economist, Trevor Hambayi.