Prime minister Elijah Ngurare received N$32 million in humanitarian aid from Japan and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday to assist the Namibian government’s national drought relief programme.
The EU has made a humanitarian contribution of N$19 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) to support Namibia’s response to the effects of El Niño and La Niña, while Unicef has allocated N$5 million to the programme.
During the formal handover at his office, Ngurare said the 2024/25 drought is one of the worst in recent years, severely affecting vulnerable communities, particularly subsistence farmers.
“This additional generous donation is a timely intervention that compliments government efforts of mitigating the negative effects brought about by the persistent drought situation on vulnerable communities, through provision of the enlisted healthcare supplies, commodities and equipment,” Ngurare said.
The EU donated N$4 million via the Namibia Red Cross Society to support over 140 000 people with food, clean water, and multi-purpose cash assistance over the coming year.
The funding to Unicef will target 86 000 Namibians in key affected areas in the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, and the Kunene regions.
Unicef country representative Samuel Ocran says the funds assist children with the immediate, life-saving nutritional interventions caused by severe acute malnutrition.
It will further ensure the provision of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services in healthcare facilities across the country.
EU ambassador to Namibia Ana-Beatriz Martins, reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to Namibia.
“Namibia can also count on the EU in times of drought and hardship,” Martins states.
The Japanese Embassy has contributed N$9 million through the United Nations World Food Programme for food assistance in selected regions.
Japan’s ambassador to Namibia, Shinichi Asazuma, says the funds will provide essential relief supplies and strengthen healthcare systems to 48 000 people in the Kunene, Omaheke, Omusati, and Zambezi regions.
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