The Human Rights Commission-Zambia (HRC-Z) has strengthened its preparedness to ensure continuity of essential human rights services during emergencies and other disruptions.

The two-day workshop, held from 14th to 15th September 2026 in Chilanga District, brought together HRC-Z management and staff to support this effort through a review of the Business Continuity Policy, and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan.

The review focused on ensuring continuity of HRC-Z’s complaints handling, investigations, monitoring, legal services and human rights education. It also examined measures to protect staff and institutional resources and facilitate the timely recovery of services.

During the workshop, HRC-Z Director-General Ms Mbololwa Wamunyima stressed the need for the Commission to maintain its constitutional mandate during emergencies and other operational disruptions.

She identified power outages, ICT failures, floods, civil unrest and pandemics among potential disruptions that could affect the Commission’s ability to deliver its mandate if adequate continuity measures were not in place.

“The mandate of the Human Rights Commission is too important to be interrupted. The Commission must continue protecting and promoting human rights even in the face of disruptions,” Ms Wamunyima said.

The Director General further stressed that business continuity is a Commission-wide responsibility, requiring departments and staff to understand their roles in maintaining essential functions during a crisis.