India donated 1,000 metric tonnes of rice and maize towards Namibia's drought relief programme.

This is in support of Namibia's efforts to achieve food security, reduce poverty, and enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

At the donation handover, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare noted the gesture was done in solidarity and is a reflection of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

"Namibia continues to experience a mixture of hazards, with the prolonged dry spell experienced last year standing out as one of the worst droughts in recent years that has impacted most livelihoods, particularly those of vulnerable subsistence farmers in our country."

Dr. Ngurare said despite the government's efforts, the scale of the drought exceeded allocated financial resources, leaving a funding shortfall of over N$600 million.

He emphasised that the donation has met the government halfway and eased the burden on the affected communities.

"Therefore, your donation went a long way in augmenting the government's efforts to alleviate the negative impacts brought about by the drought situation on the communities."

India's High Commissioner to Namibia, Rahul Shrivastava, said the donation was not merely a transfer of resources but a symbol of the countries' enduring friendship.

"As we know, food security is a fundamental human right. It is essential for achieving health, education, and sustainable development. With this contribution, we hope we were able to alleviate some of the challenges faced by the people of Namibia, ensuring that families have access to the nourishment they need to thrive."

The Prime Minister added that Namibia is in the process of joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, a global initiative in India.

This will enable Namibia to leverage available global expertise, funding, innovative solutions, and international best practices to address disaster risk.