The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare has called for collective action among lawmakers, government agencies, and the community to tackle hunger and avoid preventable deaths. 

The call was in response to NUDO MP Joseph Kauandenge's questions about the cause of the deaths of 16 family members at Kayova in Kavango East last year.

"What has happened to the laboratory tests carried out since last year to determine the cause of death of those 16 family members who died of food poisoning? What measures has your ministry put in place to prevent another mitigating event like that one in the Ministry of Gender Equality, Ministry of Health and Social Services, catastrophic future?"

Investigations of deaths fall under the police; however, the government has made efforts to address food insecurity in the Kavango regions, including visits and assessments conducted by social workers and key partners. 

In response, Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs, Alexia Mangombe-Ncube, said, "To clarify the statement that the 16 family members ate expired food, that statement is not correct. According to a preliminary investigation, they ate fermented mahangu, which they bought from within the community."

Following the tragic incident, the government provided the families with dignity packs, group counselling for affected schoolchildren, and ongoing psychosocial support. 

Efforts also included helping family members obtain national documents to qualify for various social grants.

"The Ministry was on the ground to render the necessary support to the families. As lawmakers, we must recognise the different mandates of the implementing government offices, ministries, and agencies. The Ministry received an appropriated budget of N$48,148,000 for the 2023–2024 financial year, aimed at procuring and distributing food items to households in marginalised communities."

She acknowledged the high poverty rates in the Kavango regions and outlined ongoing and planned initiatives aimed at poverty reduction.