The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta launched the Conservation Relief, Recovery and Resilience Facility at the COVID-19 Communication Centre today. The facility is aimed at supporting community-based conservation programmes as well as addressing the effects of COVID 19. Shifeta said, to mitigate COVID-19 shocks the ministry established the Conservation Relief, Recovery and Resilience Facility, to address long term impact associated with COVID-19 on conservation sustainability on the community-based natural resources management programme in Namibia. Benedict Libanda, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) said the fund will be the vehicle that will contribute towards the fight against the pandemic. Libanda said the EIF will provide secretariat work to the task force that will manage the facility. The fund contributed N$6 million towards the facility and intends to sustain the facility beyond COVID-19. Nedbank's managing director (MD), Richard Meeks said the bank through the Go Green Fund is committed to investing in conservation efforts across Namibia since 2001. He said Namibia Nature Foundation is a key pillar of their corporate social investment programmes. Meeks said in light of the severe challenges imposed on those living on the frontline of conservation, the bank commit the full annual Go Green Fund allocation of N$1 million, to support and sustain conservancy employment, especially of the game guards and other wildlife protectors. The UNDP Representative in Namibia, Alka Bhatia acknowledged the bold step to establishing the facility, saying the UNDP will contribute to the initial capitalisation of the facility, therefore committed N$1,26 million while awaiting the findings of the sectoral and socio-economic needs assessments, to determine further areas of support for building back stronger. Bhatia added that the UNDP's support complements the national efforts that ensure that Namibia's response to the impacts of COVID-19 is comprehensive, equitable and inclusive so that no one is left out, and Namibia can continue to make progress in achieving its development goals. Thus far, Namibian Association of Community Support Organisations (NACSO)has attracted N$7,5 million, the UNDP committed N$1.5 million and Nedbank N$1 million. This brings the total basket to N$16 million. The Ministry is also in discussion with other strategic partners interested in addressing the negative impact of COVID-19 on the sector.