Japan donates almost N$9m for drought relief
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The government of Japan has donated N$8.8 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Namibia to help with drought relief. A handover was done by the ambassador of Japan in Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki, to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in the capital yesterday.
The representative of WFP in Namibia, Tiwonge Machiwenyika, thanked Japan for its contribution that will assist communities in the drought-stricken regions of Kunene and Ohangwena in a scorching drought described as the worst in a century.
Food coupons will be provided to 26 555 people in these regions over a period of six months.
"This generous contribution will strengthen the Namibian government's emergency response efforts in drought-stricken areas where communities and children face the risk of malnutrition," Machiwenyika said.
"Of the targeted population, 15 504 people in the Kunene region and 11 051 people in the Ohangwena region will benefit from these food coupons."
The prime minister admitted that there are risks associated with the distribution of drought relief food, with incidents of theft already reported, while storage facilities for food are expensive. "With the food coupons, we can get food directly from households," she said.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also stressed that not only rural areas should receive drought aid, but also communities in urban areas. She also appealed to the private sector to open their wallets for drought aid.
The representative of WFP in Namibia, Tiwonge Machiwenyika, thanked Japan for its contribution that will assist communities in the drought-stricken regions of Kunene and Ohangwena in a scorching drought described as the worst in a century.
Food coupons will be provided to 26 555 people in these regions over a period of six months.
"This generous contribution will strengthen the Namibian government's emergency response efforts in drought-stricken areas where communities and children face the risk of malnutrition," Machiwenyika said.
"Of the targeted population, 15 504 people in the Kunene region and 11 051 people in the Ohangwena region will benefit from these food coupons."
The prime minister admitted that there are risks associated with the distribution of drought relief food, with incidents of theft already reported, while storage facilities for food are expensive. "With the food coupons, we can get food directly from households," she said.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also stressed that not only rural areas should receive drought aid, but also communities in urban areas. She also appealed to the private sector to open their wallets for drought aid.
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