18 deaths from starvation in Ohangwena in 2024
... over 48 000 households need of food aid
Ohangwena governor Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed this week that urgent steps have been implemented in response to increasing cases of malnutrition and deaths from starvation in the region.
This follows the confirmation of 94 malnutrition deaths recorded in the region between 2022 and 2024.
With worsening drought in the region, 18 deaths from starvation were reported in 2024 alone.
Of the 18 deaths, four were adults, and 14 were children.
On Monday, Ndeitunga said malnutrition is linked to issues such as food insecurity due to poverty, which, in turn, is connected to high unemployment rates. Natural disasters such as droughts and floods also play a role.
In 2023, in response to increasing reports of malnutrition, the Ohangwena Regional Council conducted a survey and compiled a list of households across all 12 constituencies, identifying those in need of urgent food relief assistance.
A total of 48 761 households were identified as requiring urgent food assistance.
“It is obvious that this number has increased over time, especially in 2024 due to low rainfall,” Ndeitunga said, adding that the regional council is considering ensuring that in cases of malnutrition, individuals are provided with further food assistance once they are discharged from hospital.
The former police chief added that other factors contributing to poor diets include irresponsible parents spending excessive time at shebeens and neglecting their duty to care for their children.
Other factors are low health literacy and the presence of diseases such as worm infestations, diarrhoea, malaria and measles, the governor explained.
Stronger response
Speaking during a nutrition report assessment at the regional office on Monday, Ndeitunga said 332 patients have been registered with a special programme to manage malnutrition in the region, with the majority based in the Eenhana and Engela districts.
He said the Nutrition Assessment, Counselling and Support (NACS) programme has been strengthened to manage malnutrition in children, pregnant and postpartum women as well as adults and adolescents living with HIV and TB.
Ndeitunga explained that the programme has been implemented across the region, providing nutrition-related services at fixed health facilities and regional outreach points.
NACS services include health education, breastfeeding promotion, screening and monitoring of children under five, deworming campaigns, vitamin A supplementation, and treatment of ailments that could lead to malnutrition.
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This follows the confirmation of 94 malnutrition deaths recorded in the region between 2022 and 2024.
With worsening drought in the region, 18 deaths from starvation were reported in 2024 alone.
Of the 18 deaths, four were adults, and 14 were children.
On Monday, Ndeitunga said malnutrition is linked to issues such as food insecurity due to poverty, which, in turn, is connected to high unemployment rates. Natural disasters such as droughts and floods also play a role.
In 2023, in response to increasing reports of malnutrition, the Ohangwena Regional Council conducted a survey and compiled a list of households across all 12 constituencies, identifying those in need of urgent food relief assistance.
A total of 48 761 households were identified as requiring urgent food assistance.
“It is obvious that this number has increased over time, especially in 2024 due to low rainfall,” Ndeitunga said, adding that the regional council is considering ensuring that in cases of malnutrition, individuals are provided with further food assistance once they are discharged from hospital.
The former police chief added that other factors contributing to poor diets include irresponsible parents spending excessive time at shebeens and neglecting their duty to care for their children.
Other factors are low health literacy and the presence of diseases such as worm infestations, diarrhoea, malaria and measles, the governor explained.
Stronger response
Speaking during a nutrition report assessment at the regional office on Monday, Ndeitunga said 332 patients have been registered with a special programme to manage malnutrition in the region, with the majority based in the Eenhana and Engela districts.
He said the Nutrition Assessment, Counselling and Support (NACS) programme has been strengthened to manage malnutrition in children, pregnant and postpartum women as well as adults and adolescents living with HIV and TB.
Ndeitunga explained that the programme has been implemented across the region, providing nutrition-related services at fixed health facilities and regional outreach points.
NACS services include health education, breastfeeding promotion, screening and monitoring of children under five, deworming campaigns, vitamin A supplementation, and treatment of ailments that could lead to malnutrition.
- [email protected]
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