Namibian businesses, farmers and organisations have pledged more than N$3 million in cash and in-kind contributions towards the country's Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) response.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani has commended corporate partners and stakeholders for stepping up to combat the recent FMD outbreaks in the ||Kharas and Zambezi regions.
Zaamwani said safeguarding the livestock sub-sector, and by extension the national economy, is a shared national responsibility.
She said in support of the government's mitigation against FMD, mining company B2Gold made a landmark contribution of N$1.6 million.
Additional financial and in-kind support rolled in from various other organisations, including retailers and service providers.
"Your generous contribution and your confidence in the governance structure of an FMD support fund – the money that you donated will go directly to the purposes for which you have created it. I can tell you that had it not been for the support that we have received through the FMD support fund, our efforts would have been very difficult."
B2Gold mining company's Chief Executive Officer John Roos says the outbreak is already placing significant financial pressure on farmers, many of whom are struggling with reduced cash flow due to restrictions on livestock movement.
Roos also says the crisis is affecting the country's agricultural and export sectors, with disruptions to beef exports highlighting the wider economic consequences.
"We want to be part of the solution. So it's wonderful seeing this group of people around the table today. It just makes my heart warm again as a Namibian."
"The fund does not run the outbreak response. That is the work of our veterinary authority. Our role is to resource it. Priorities are set by the directorate, and the fund procures and pays directly against confirmed requests so that support arrives with equipment, materials and services where they are needed," added the treasurer of the FMD support fund, Nelao Hamunime.