Over 4,000 households in the Kunene and Ohangwena regions will receive drought relief aid for six months. 

This comes after the United Nations World Food Programme, with support from the Government of Japan, donated N$9 million towards the drought relief programme. 

The support by the World Food Programme will provide essential food commodities, as well as livestock feed and seeds.

The government of Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to mobilise additional resources to ease the plight of the affected Namibians.

"I firmly believe that the support from the Japanese government will strengthen the Namibian government's capacity to roll out new drought programmes. By utilising food and family vouchers, we aim to boost food security, improve nutrition, diversify diets, reduce household hunger, and promote knowledge of food preparation and nutrition," said Japan's Ambassador to Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki.

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila commended the government of Japan and called on development partners, as well as private and business communities, to join hands in mitigating the drought effects.

"So that the support that we are giving through the provision of seeds and through water supplies ensures that everybody is somehow assisted because when we provide water to a locality, regardless of your income level, your water situation is also alleviated. And when we receive improved feed, we are assisted to have better habits when the rain is better. I would like to reiterate that, of course, drought relief is not the only response of the government to the situation that we are facing. We are also continuing with our social protection programmes that are implemented through the Ministry of Gender Equality, specifically to assist marginalised communities through the San Assistance Programme."