The Human-Wildlife Conflict Self-Reliance Scheme is not based on a compensation framework but rather to assist bereaved families with funeral costs for those who have lost their lives due to wildlife conflict.

Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Indileni Daniel explained to Independent Patriots for Change's (IPC) MP Rodrick Likando, who questioned the inadequate compensation and delayed payouts.

The minister says that they are aware of challenges faced by rural communities due to wildlife conflicts and have invested resources in community extension programmes aimed at equipping communities with knowledge and practical skills to mitigate and manage wildlife conflict.

"We have revised the policy of human-wildlife conflict management to guide our efforts. "This policy ensures that conflict is managed in a manner that respects the rights and development needs of local communities, promotes biodiversity conservation, encourages self-reliance and facilitates swift and informed decision-making," explained Daniel. 

The minister says that payments under the scheme have recently been revised and increased, with funeral cover being increased from five thousand to one hundred thousand dollars.

"The support provided under this scheme is not compensation for the value of life of a person; this must be underlined, but rather a means to assist bereaved families with funeral and related costs.  To this end the payments for funeral costs have been increased from N$5,000 to N$100,000. The payment process has also been significantly improved. Claims received in Windhoek are now processed within 48 hours, and claims related to human casualty can be submitted electronically from the ministry offices located in all regions."