We, the residents and stakeholders of the Lower Zambezi, urgently request that the government provide the Chiawa police station with the essential assets and budget to effectively address the increasing crime and wildlife incidents in our area. At present local investors and residents supplement these resources.

The Chiawa police station is critically under-resourced, lacking reliable reaction vehicles, correct boats, and a sustainable budget for maintaining and fueling these essential assets. This shortage hampers their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to incidents, putting both residents and visitors at risk. They have use of a very over specified boat which is currently damaged and the lower Zambezi lodges have kindly donated toward repairing. Once running again, the police do not have the budget to fuel the oversized engine. This means the burden will fall on local business once again.

The Lower Zambezi is a vital and diverse ecosystem, home to a wide array of wildlife and a popular destination for safaris and eco-tourism. However, the recent surge in lodge break-ins and human-animal conflicts has exposed the vulnerabilities in our current security infrastructure. Without immediate intervention and support, these issues will continue to escalate, undermining the safety of our community and the integrity of this precious environment.

We call on the government, and international partners to step up and provide the necessary resources to empower our police force. This will ensure the continued protection of our residents, visitors, and the unique wildlife that makes the Lower Zambezi such a special place.

We need to secure a safer and more sustainable future for Chiawa and the entire Lower Zambezi region.