Maria David
AS part of addressing food insecurity in Namibia, the government of Japan donated 300 tons of rice worth N$38.4 million.
The rice will be distributed to the three drought-affected regions of Kunene, Omusati and Erongo for the next three months.
Accepting the donation, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said it will go a long way in complementing government’s relief programme towards food-insecure Namibians.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stated that Namibia has been experiencing severe periods of drought for years, especially in 2019, leading to a declaration of a State of Emergency: National Disaster on account of Drought from May 2019 to March 2020 due to the negative impact it posed on human and animals.
“Despite improved rainfall experienced in the country during the 2020/21 season, regions such as Kunene, part of Erongo and Omusati continued to experience prolonged drought spells,” she said.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila indicated that government extended the drought relief intervention programme to the affected communities until June 2022.
The support provided includes provision of food to the neediest, provision of water to communities through water tanker services, the rehabilitation, installation and drilling of boreholes, and the extension or installation of water pipes.
Provision is also made for free fodder to identified farmers and payment of different subsidies such as marketing incentives, subsidies for the purchase of animal feeds, transportation of animals to grazing areas and for leasing of grazing.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the government is also providing relief assistance to communities in the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions affected by hail and windstorms in December 2021 and January 2022, causing damage to 72 houses.
Some houses were completely destroyed while others were partially damaged.
