Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Friday told Erongo governor and regional and local authorities that the government is N$600 million short for its nationwide drought relief programme set to be launched next month.
“In Namibia, we have been experiencing droughts for probably seven consecutive years,” she said, highlighting the urgency of the upcoming drought relief programme that would extend “throughout the country”, compared to last year’s effort that was limited to only three regions.
She said the government needs about N$800 million to implement the drought relief programme.
“We have only N$200 million available for it,” she said, emphasising the urgent need for innovative financial solutions to secure the additional N$600 million. “We want, by 1 October, to be distributing this drought relief.”
She said climate change “is with us”, and Namibia is seriously affected, indicating the government’s intent to “mainstream disaster risk management” to cope with both drought and flooding conditions.
The prime minister was responding to concerns by Erongo governor Neville Andre about the dire water situation, especially in Daures, Karibib and Walvis Bay rural constituencies.
“We are facing serious problems,” he told Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
He, however, thanked the Office of the Prime Minister for donating a tanker truck, which is crucial for bringing water to the dry rural areas. He said more trucks are needed.
Walvis Bay rural constituency councillor Florian Donatus said while the budget for drought relief “is a very good” and can bring relief, constituency offices are flooded by hungry people “to the extent that we are giving up our own [resources] to feed them”.
“How are we going to accommodate those vulnerable that find themselves in the urban areas?” Donatus asked.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the food bank programme, which is currently concentrated primarily in urban areas, needs to be expanded. The current drought aid would include assisting those in need in urban areas, she said.
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