The Office of the Prime Minister has announced the rollout of the comprehensive drought relief programme, providing food assistance and livestock support to affected subsistence farmers across all 14 regions.
The programme is in response to the findings of the Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Report for 2023–2024, which reveal alarming findings.
According to the report, Namibia has been grappling with below-normal and sporadic rainfall, resulting in flash floods and dry spells that severely impact crop yields and livestock.
"Namibia experienced below-normal and sporadic rainfalls, which culminated in a combination of flash floods and dry spells in some parts of the country. This has subjected communities to prospects of lower crop yields, impacts on livestock, and ultimately reduced household food stocks, compromising food security at household levels," said I-Ben Nashandi, Executive Director in the Office of the Prime Minister.
The report indicated that poor rainfall distribution has led to abnormally dry conditions, especially in the northern part of the country, leading to poor crop performance.
As a result, all crop-growing regions, including Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West, and Zambezi, have experienced a significant decline in harvests.
Other affected key areas include grazing and livestock, food security in terms of crop harvest water provisions, cereal production, and food insecurity.
"The government would like to reiterate its commitment to ensuring that no Namibian citizen will die as a result of hunger due to the disasters. It is on this basis that the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, will roll out the drought relief programme (food assistance) to all affected subsistence farmers in rural areas in all 14 regions."
The programme will be effective from October 2023 to June 2024, while the livestock support programme will be implemented from October 2023 to March 2024.
The programme is expected to cost the government N$892.4 million.
The government further urges the business community and development partners to join hands in supporting their efforts.