The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, says the deaths of 16 Shishugho family members should serve as a reminder to those deployed at grassroots levels to continuously access and inform the government to take appropriate action.
Kapofi expressed deep regret over the deaths of 16 people due to food insecurity.
Kapofi believes the disaster could have been avoided through various relief programmes had the government been notified of the dire situation the family was passing through.
"The government will not hesitate to provide assistance when there are people reported to be in dire situations of whatever kind. The government has a programme designed specifically to assist the needy; it's a programme meant for problems such as the one that has led to us gathering under such unfortunate circumstances."
The Minister also emphasised that the government is diligently working to address the issue of statelessness, which exacerbates instances of poverty.
Furthermore, Kapofi stated that the government has implemented programmes aimed at alleviating poverty.
"It pains me to admit that we have not, as a government, been able to address the issue of statelessness for many of the people in its entirety. National documents will enable people to access social and other grants, which to a large extent help in addressing abject poverty in our society."
He reassured the Shishugho family that the government would mobilise resources to provide support and help them overcome this tragedy.
In a message read on his behalf, Gotfried Shishugho the grandfather of the deceased children, says it was difficult to put food on the table.
"I brought my grandchildren up with much difficulty; we survived mainly from fishing and selling reeds. The fathers of my grandchildren would sometimes build huts for us, while the mothers would pound mahangu for me. Now I don't know where to look. The family fire has been extinguished."
The 16 family members who died from suspected food poisoning at Kayova Village in Kavango East's Ndiyona Constituency were buried in a mass grave at the village.