The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has confirmed that 1,485 households out of the 28,485 Oshikoto Region drought beneficiary households, will not receive a 50kg bag of rice as the region only received 27,000 bags.

According to a letter from OPM Executive Director I-Ben Nashandi to Oshikoto Chief Regional Officer Christella Mwenyo on 29 January 2025, the rice was donated to the Government of Namibia by the People’s Republic of China to augment the government’s efforts in responding to the drought situation in the country.

He said that OPM will provide the usual food basket to the remaining 1,485 households.

Nashandi said that the region is requested to make necessary arrangements for the distribution of one 50kg bag of rice per the 27,000 households out of 28,485 regional drought beneficiaries - covering the months of March and April 2025.

“The food items will be delivered to Oshikoto Region’s Omuthiya warehouse, and the region is advised to prioritise the distribution of the rice,” Nashandi said.

He added that the delivery of the consignment has commenced as the sea vessel touched down at Walvis Bay this week.

“The Oshikoto Regional Council is advised to make the necessary arrangements to receive the consignment,” he said.
Mwenyo confirmed to Nampa on Tuesday that Oshikoto was nominated to receive the donation of rice from China.

She stated that the beneficiaries who are going to receive rice will each additionally receive eight tins of fish, two bottles of cooking oil and four soya mince soup packets that will cover March and April 2025.

“The first constituency to receive the drought relief food will be Oniipa, and the rest will be informed once Oniipa is finalised,” Mwenyo said.