The persistent drought in the Kunene Region is affecting water provision for residents.

Kunene Regional Council Acting Director for Planning and Development, Charles Uarije, made these remarks during the Regional and Local Government Administrative Leadership Session at Opuwo.

Uarije says even though the region has the Kunene River, it depends on boreholes for water provision.

With a population of more than 90,000 inhabitants, about 60% of whom live in rural settings, they depend on livestock for their livelihood.

A shortage of water in the Oshikoto Region has unleashed devastating effects on humans, livestock, and projects.

Some residents are forced to travel long distances to buy water, both for their own consumption and for livestock.

Some villagers, such as Shikongo Mingeli from Omutsegwonime, still have no access to potable water.

The 85-year-old travels 40 kilometres to and from Omuthiya to buy water for consumption for his family and their livestock.

It is a costly exercise.