The ||Kharas Water and Drought Action Group has appealed to Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Carl Schlettwein to intervene and address the water crisis affecting communal farmers. 

The group of communal farmers held a protest to bring their water crisis plight worsened by prolonged drought conditions under the attention of the minister. 

They said the water crisis has reached critical levels, with many farmers struggling to maintain their livelihoods. 

The lack of water, the group argued, not only jeopardises their daily lives but also threatens their agricultural productivity, health, and overall well-being.

"Our current situation necessitates urgent intervention and effective management to alleviate the hardships by our communal farmers in the ||Kharas Region," said group spokesperson Albeertus Hangue.

The group demands the implementation of sustainable solutions that include emergency water supply initiatives and setting up a body that will ensure swift and effective implementation of rough relief measures. 

In addition, they called for the revitalisation of agricultural extension officers with resources such as water trucks to transport water to the affected areas as well as equipment and materials to rehabilitate water points. 

"We have learnt of the N$100 million allocation designated for operational capital related to drought relief. We urge that a significant portion of these funds be directed towards the immediate procurement of the aforementioned resources, as well as establishing a transparent oversight mechanism to track the allocation and use of these funds."

The Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation Regional Head for ||Kharas, Carlo Cloete, received the petition.

"As a country, we are facing challenging times in terms of drought; it's not only in ||Kharas but all over the country, and the government is committed to finding solutions to the water problem and to the drought. It's true money was allocated for emergencies under drought, and I can rest assured you that the government will come up with interventions to save the lives of the communities."

Cloete furthermore highlighted that the government drilled around twenty boreholes in the region, of which seventeen were successfully installed. 

In addition, two dams were constructed as well as a desalination plant. 

Last year, eight water points were also rehabilitated, and this year the government committed to rehabilitating thirty water points. 

Cloete also requested the group to provide a list of water points that need urgent intervention.