Climate change taking a toll on Namibians - UN
Climate change causes many disruptions, ranging from food insecurity, increased unemployment, environmental degradation and health threats.
“The impacts of climate change are very real and I saw this first-hand during a recent UN joint visit to the Kavango West Region,” UN resident coordinator Hopolang Phororo said recently as she reflected on her visit.
“One notices the dry soils, the visible rib cages on the livestock, both cattle and goats, and the pressure on the community water sources to accommodate both the population and the livestock.”
She said in addition, the drought has clearly taken a toll on the communities, and the UN, through resources mobilised through the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), has been complementing government efforts to reach the most vulnerable populations, including women, lactating mothers and children.
‘Grave concern’
Phororo recounted that in the villages she visited, she noticed a large number of new mothers or expectant teenage girls.
“This has negative repercussions, such as weaning the child at an early age and depriving the infant of nutrients, which results in malnourished children, particularly in poverty-stricken households.”
Teenage pregnancy, she added, is an issue of grave concern in Namibia, and in 2021/2022, Kavango West recorded the highest pregnancy ratio in the country.
“If teens are getting pregnant, what does this mean in terms of the transmission of HIV? Sexual and reproductive health services are crucial, but beyond this, how can we educate and empower our daughters and granddaughters that sex can wait and the focus should be on their studies?"
Phororo said several ongoing efforts in the region are acknowledged; however, the needs are overwhelming, and it was clear that "even our efforts are a drop in the ocean".
“An integrated programme addressing different facets in the community is crucial and we need to do more than what we have been doing."
She added: “Changing climate patterns are only going to get worse, so waiting for another cycle of emergency assistance is not the answer and is unsustainable.”
“The impacts of climate change are very real and I saw this first-hand during a recent UN joint visit to the Kavango West Region,” UN resident coordinator Hopolang Phororo said recently as she reflected on her visit.
“One notices the dry soils, the visible rib cages on the livestock, both cattle and goats, and the pressure on the community water sources to accommodate both the population and the livestock.”
She said in addition, the drought has clearly taken a toll on the communities, and the UN, through resources mobilised through the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), has been complementing government efforts to reach the most vulnerable populations, including women, lactating mothers and children.
‘Grave concern’
Phororo recounted that in the villages she visited, she noticed a large number of new mothers or expectant teenage girls.
“This has negative repercussions, such as weaning the child at an early age and depriving the infant of nutrients, which results in malnourished children, particularly in poverty-stricken households.”
Teenage pregnancy, she added, is an issue of grave concern in Namibia, and in 2021/2022, Kavango West recorded the highest pregnancy ratio in the country.
“If teens are getting pregnant, what does this mean in terms of the transmission of HIV? Sexual and reproductive health services are crucial, but beyond this, how can we educate and empower our daughters and granddaughters that sex can wait and the focus should be on their studies?"
Phororo said several ongoing efforts in the region are acknowledged; however, the needs are overwhelming, and it was clear that "even our efforts are a drop in the ocean".
“An integrated programme addressing different facets in the community is crucial and we need to do more than what we have been doing."
She added: “Changing climate patterns are only going to get worse, so waiting for another cycle of emergency assistance is not the answer and is unsustainable.”
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Namibian Sun
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