Namibians who hail from the two Kavango regions, but reside in other parts of the country, have been urged to invest in their regions of origin, thereby alleviating hunger and poverty.

The call was made by a group living in the Erongo Region as they paid tribute to the people who died in a suspected food poisoning incident at Kayova village.

Residents who hailed from the Kavango and other northern regions gathered at a local church to pay homage to the 16 family members who died of food poisoning at Kayova village in Kavango East.

The incident sent shockwaves across the country.

They urged their peers in other regions to reflect on the reasons why people died and further join forces to overcome hunger and poverty.

Recognising the importance of collective efforts, residents who gathered at Walvis Bay emphasised the significance of investments in their respective regions to contribute to the overall well-being and development of their communities.

"The cause of this tragedy was hunger. The children who have passed away lived a tough life. They used to survive by fishing, but at times they used to go and beg for food. We have lost these children who were supposed to be the breadwinners of that house, and one of them was supposed to complete grade 11 this year, but he also passed on. This has affected us," said Jovita Kafuro, a family member of the deceased.

"This death is not all about Kavango; it's about Namibia. It's painful; in our language, we say it's unacceptable that 15 children were supposed to become ministers, preachers, and doctors," added Pastor Lucas Ndjamba of the Batista Church.

The group raised more than N$3,000 to assist the family with funeral expenses.