This was highlighted by President Hifikepunye Pohamba at the opening of the first Cabinet meeting last week.

Several parts of the country are experiencing drought and the Caprivi Region has already experienced some floods.

However, Government says it is prepared for the eventualities.

"Through the Emergency Management Unit (Emu) in the Office of the Prime Minister, measures are already being worked out to provide relief and assistance to all those affected," President Pohamba said in his opening speech.

"Rains over the past few days in different parts of the country have come as a welcome relief.

With regard to farmers in crop-producing communal areas, Government has started to provide subsidies for seeds.

This assistance will be disseminated through regional government structures," he said.

"Government is concerned about the destructive impact of the floods and drought that have been experienced in different parts of the country.

The floods in the Caprivi Region have devastated many communities and destroyed houses and crop fields.

Some businesses have been affected while the education of our children was disrupted (last year), as students and teachers had to be relocated to higher ground," the President noted.

"While the Caprivi experiences the floods, other parts of the country are facing severe drought conditions which have led to the death of many livestock and as a result of the drought, water and grazing for livestock have become scarce," he added.

Another devastating impact of the present drought is that subsistence farmers in rural areas have not been able to plough and plant crop fields.

This is likely to lead to food shortages in different parts of the country.

"It is our resolve, as a Government, to ensure that no human life is lost because of lack of food or water," Pohamba emphasised.

"In order to ensure success in providing relief and assistance to our citizens who are affected by flood and drought, there is a need for proper co-ordination to avoid duplication of efforts so that the limited resources at our disposal are used efficiently.

I urge the political heads of our public institutions to ensure that co-ordination remains the watch-word in these efforts.

I also urge accounting officers, senior management and technical staff to carry out their duties diligently," Pohamba requested.

"We must continue to closely monitor these situations in order to act timeously to protect the lives of our people and ameliorate the impact of these natural disasters on our communities."

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours