Maria David
A TOTAL of 25,067 people in the Ohangwena Region are currently receiving drought relief food.
This was according to Ohangwena Governor Sebastian Ndeitunga, who said that the number of previously identified households stood at 16,000 and has increased to 25,067.
According to Ndeitunga, the Regional Council conducted a survey in 2023 and compiled a list of households in all 12 constituencies, identifying those in need of urgent food relief assistance.
As a result, Ndeitunga said that a total of 48,761 households were identified as requiring urgent food assistance.
“This number still falls far below the 48,761 who are in dire need of food relief assistance. Should this gap not be addressed, we might see increasing reports of malnutrition and starvation in the region,” he said.
He added that the distribution of drought relief food does not account for the varying sizes of households.
Further, Ndeitunga indicated that the drought has led to starvation and malnutrition, causing 18 deaths, including four adults, last year.
Additionally, he said that 332 patients were registered in the Nutrition Assessment Counseling Services programme, with the majority in the Eenhana and Engela districts.
According to Ndeitunga, the causes of malnutrition include food insecurity due to poverty, which is linked to high unemployment rates, as well as natural disasters such as droughts and floods.
