‘Decent-looking’ homes a barrier to food aid, some claim

Some families living in what are perceived to be decent village houses in the north claim they are excluded from the drought relief programme despite struggling to make ends meet because many wrongly believe they exceed the N$3 100 monthly household income threshold for receiving drought assistance.

Those residing in these houses say they struggle because the owners of the houses may live elsewhere and do not regularly visit to provide for their basic needs.

Moreover, some residents inherited their houses but lack sufficient financial resources, community leaders say.



Homes not a criteria

According to I-Ben Nashandi, the executive director of the Prime Minister's Office, household poverty levels are often reflected in housing types. However, the criteria for qualifying for food aid are based solely on the severity of the food shortages faced by a family.

“With regards to structures of houses being a subject of assessment into drought, I wish to clarify that the criteria for identification is only based on whether the house, with or without [sophisticated] structures, faces food shortages,” Nashandi stressed.

“This measure is made by assessing the combined income level of the household, the locality of the house and also that no other similar support accrue to the household,” he explained.

The Office of the Prime Minister has nevertheless called on residents who are able to do so to support food security programmes in their communities.

He added: “Coincidentally, the poverty levels in households also reflect in the house structures. Households with means to put better structures also extend same means to food security.”



Wrong impression

Oshana governor Elia Irimari acknowledged that many homes with decent infrastructure do not benefit from drought relief.

He argued it is wrong to exclude potential beneficiaries from aid efforts based on the appearance of their homes, pointing out that some houses are inherited and some are headed by children who do not make ends meet.

“It's really a deceiving factor when you look at infrastructure and say that the house is big. It might be that the house was made big by the person who is now deceased and those who are left behind cannot take care of themselves. Some of the houses are being headed by children who are left behind by their parents, and so on. That's a true fact. I know. I've seen it.” Irimari said.

Also weighing in, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala said while the prime minister's office can answer specific questions related to the drought relief programme, his office has received complaints from war veterans who feel excluded from state-funded aid.

Endjala emphasised that the drought has affected everyone, regardless of the type of home they live in or their employment status.

“What I'm trying to say is that the sentiment is that drought has affected everybody. Therefore, every person must get a cut [from] drought relief,” Endjala remarked.



Millions needed

Government's drought aid initiative aims to provide food assistance to 341 855 households, with approximately 1.4 million people in Namibia classified as vulnerable to food shortages.

Two months ago, Namibian Sun reported that from July this year to 10 June next year, government estimates drought relief will cost the country N$1.307 billion.

However, government can only allocate N$825 million, resulting in a shortfall of N$482 million that still needs to be funded.

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