Politicisation, theft of drought relief slammed
Over 1.2 million pushed into acute hunger
Drought in Namibia continues to devastate communities, killing crops and livestock and escalating food prices.
Government says it will not condone any acts of profiteering or politicisation of drought-relief food, which is aimed at reducing the food gaps and protecting livelihoods of 1.26 million drought-hit Namibians.
These were the sentiments of Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila yesterday when she officiated the implementation of the 2024/25 nationwide drought-relief programme in Windhoek.
Government’s budget for the current drought is N$1.3 billion, with several interventions implemented across various sectors. But despite these interventions, efforts to provide relief have been undermined by corruption, especially on the part of civil servants who allegedly divert aid intended for vulnerable populations to money-making schemes.
Some regional councillors have also been accused of withholding drought-relief food from community members who have differing political affiliations.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila yesterday expressed concern over reported incidents of theft of drought-relief food items. “Government has noted with concern the reported incidents of theft of drought-relief food items. We also condemn the reported politicising of emergency food assistance. These incidents must be addressed by all stakeholders within the applicable policies and systems,” she said.
“We will not be able to effectively address the vulnerabilities created by the drought if we allow such incidents to continue as they undermine efforts to ensure assistance [is provided] to all those in need,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added.
State of emergency
The country's ongoing drought continues to take a devastating toll on nearly half the population, leading to fatalities and threatening the survival of both livestock and wildlife.
In May, President Nangolo Mbumba declared a national state of emergency due to the drought.
The official declaration, published on 22 May in the Government Gazette, came shortly after Mbumba addressed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, where he discussed the severe impacts of the El Niño-induced drought and floods across member states.
During his address, he revealed that Namibia's drought-relief programme faces a funding shortfall of N$482 million and called for assistance from international and regional stakeholders.
The drought has led to severe water shortages and food insecurity, with dam levels plummeting, particularly in the country's central regions.
The human cost
Earlier this month, Namibian Sun reported on the tragic deaths of about 20 people in the Judea Lyaboloma constituency of the Zambezi Region. These residents were forced to fetch water from dangerous areas, where they risked encounters with crocodiles and hippos. As rivers dry up, both animals and humans converge at the same water sources, escalating the threat of deadly wildlife attacks.
Mashi conservancy manager Richard Mukube confirmed that a lack of access to potable water is forcing people into these dangerous areas. This convergence at scarce water points has led to an increased number of human-wildlife conflicts, further worsening the situation for communities already grappling with the drought.
Wildlife not spared
Meanwhile, wildlife has not been spared either. On Tuesday, the environment ministry reported that more than 130 hippos are stranded in the muddy Munambeza Pond near Lake Lyambezi in Zambezi.
The hippos have been trapped due to dwindling water levels, and five have already died. This is the third site along the Chobe River, bordering Botswana, where hippos have become stranded.
To mitigate the situation, the ministry has drilled boreholes in affected areas to pump water for the hippos, providing a lifeline until the next rainy season. Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told NBC that efforts are underway to improve the situation for the stranded animals. "We have drilled boreholes, and we are already pumping water into the ponds. While the situation is dire, we believe it can be salvaged," he said.
Efforts
The government rolled out a nationwide drought-relief programme in July, valued at an estimated N$825 million. The programme, coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister, aims to provide food, water and agricultural assistance to drought-stricken communities. The relief package targets 341 855 households, with a total of 1.3 million people facing acute food insecurity.
Meanwhile, Mbumba's call for assistance has been answered by several international partners. In July, United States ambassador Randy Berry announced that the United States - through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - will provide US$5 million (approximately N$90 million) in humanitarian aid to support drought-affected populations in Namibia.
The drought’s impact has also forced the government to make a difficult decision of authorising the culling of 723 animals, including elephants, to address severe food insecurity. Meat from the culled animals will be distributed to struggling communities as part of a drought-relief programme aimed at alleviating hunger.
These were the sentiments of Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila yesterday when she officiated the implementation of the 2024/25 nationwide drought-relief programme in Windhoek.
Government’s budget for the current drought is N$1.3 billion, with several interventions implemented across various sectors. But despite these interventions, efforts to provide relief have been undermined by corruption, especially on the part of civil servants who allegedly divert aid intended for vulnerable populations to money-making schemes.
Some regional councillors have also been accused of withholding drought-relief food from community members who have differing political affiliations.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila yesterday expressed concern over reported incidents of theft of drought-relief food items. “Government has noted with concern the reported incidents of theft of drought-relief food items. We also condemn the reported politicising of emergency food assistance. These incidents must be addressed by all stakeholders within the applicable policies and systems,” she said.
“We will not be able to effectively address the vulnerabilities created by the drought if we allow such incidents to continue as they undermine efforts to ensure assistance [is provided] to all those in need,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added.
State of emergency
The country's ongoing drought continues to take a devastating toll on nearly half the population, leading to fatalities and threatening the survival of both livestock and wildlife.
In May, President Nangolo Mbumba declared a national state of emergency due to the drought.
The official declaration, published on 22 May in the Government Gazette, came shortly after Mbumba addressed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, where he discussed the severe impacts of the El Niño-induced drought and floods across member states.
During his address, he revealed that Namibia's drought-relief programme faces a funding shortfall of N$482 million and called for assistance from international and regional stakeholders.
The drought has led to severe water shortages and food insecurity, with dam levels plummeting, particularly in the country's central regions.
The human cost
Earlier this month, Namibian Sun reported on the tragic deaths of about 20 people in the Judea Lyaboloma constituency of the Zambezi Region. These residents were forced to fetch water from dangerous areas, where they risked encounters with crocodiles and hippos. As rivers dry up, both animals and humans converge at the same water sources, escalating the threat of deadly wildlife attacks.
Mashi conservancy manager Richard Mukube confirmed that a lack of access to potable water is forcing people into these dangerous areas. This convergence at scarce water points has led to an increased number of human-wildlife conflicts, further worsening the situation for communities already grappling with the drought.
Wildlife not spared
Meanwhile, wildlife has not been spared either. On Tuesday, the environment ministry reported that more than 130 hippos are stranded in the muddy Munambeza Pond near Lake Lyambezi in Zambezi.
The hippos have been trapped due to dwindling water levels, and five have already died. This is the third site along the Chobe River, bordering Botswana, where hippos have become stranded.
To mitigate the situation, the ministry has drilled boreholes in affected areas to pump water for the hippos, providing a lifeline until the next rainy season. Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told NBC that efforts are underway to improve the situation for the stranded animals. "We have drilled boreholes, and we are already pumping water into the ponds. While the situation is dire, we believe it can be salvaged," he said.
Efforts
The government rolled out a nationwide drought-relief programme in July, valued at an estimated N$825 million. The programme, coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister, aims to provide food, water and agricultural assistance to drought-stricken communities. The relief package targets 341 855 households, with a total of 1.3 million people facing acute food insecurity.
Meanwhile, Mbumba's call for assistance has been answered by several international partners. In July, United States ambassador Randy Berry announced that the United States - through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - will provide US$5 million (approximately N$90 million) in humanitarian aid to support drought-affected populations in Namibia.
The drought’s impact has also forced the government to make a difficult decision of authorising the culling of 723 animals, including elephants, to address severe food insecurity. Meat from the culled animals will be distributed to struggling communities as part of a drought-relief programme aimed at alleviating hunger.
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