UN food agency considers boosting drought relief effort

THE World Food Programme (WFP) has indicated it is seriously considering help to Government that would tide thousands of hungry children over the worst of the drought.

“We are still discussing this. There is a possibility that we will be able to provide food to orphans and vulnerable children,” said the WFP Head in Namibia, Abdirahman Meygag.But he stressed that any food assistance would go to needy children only.This follows United Nations drought assessments late last year following a Government appeal for foreign financial assistance to carry out its drought relief programme.More than 640 000 Namibians are registered to receive food rations and many others are in need of health-care and farming assistance.UN Representative in Namibia Jacqui Badcock told The Namibian that her organisation intended to brief Government before the end of this month on the type of assistance UN agencies could render, but ruled out offering financial aid.Last November Government appealed to the international community for about N$127 million – the shortfall between what it could pay and the estimated cost of helping all those affected.Besides food aid, Badcock said, the UN could assist in the health sector.She said Government’s appeal for international aid had come very late, giving the UN little time to make an adequate response.She explained that the UN would also have to appeal for donations before committing itself to helping Namibia.The UN head also noted that much of the requested assistance stemmed from broader development concerns, not just related to drought needs.”Whether it rains or not, households are affected by … productivity which has gone down as a result of HIV-AIDS.There is a general need for food and we are conscious and concerned about the AIDS epidemic”.She said the country’s emergency needs ought to be incorporated into its national development plans such as Vision 2030, as food security and adequate water supply were long-term development issues Namibia would have to deal with.In future, she said, the UN hoped to work with the Government’s Emergency Management Unit to broaden the unit’s mandate to conduct more frequent vulnerability assessments and to shorten response times in national crises.Meanwhile, the unit’s Acting Deputy Director, Timothy Shixungileni, has described the distribution of food relief as “under control”.Supplies of maize meal, dried fish and cooking oil are being delivered directly to the regions by contractors.”Although we are still awaiting for [help from] international donors, the companies who got the tenders are delivering and we have not received any complaints,” says Shixungileni.In at least one region, Kavango, food has been stockpiled for distribution, but none has yet reached those in need.The Government’s drought food assistance is expected to continue until at least May.There is a possibility that we will be able to provide food to orphans and vulnerable children,” said the WFP Head in Namibia, Abdirahman Meygag. But he stressed that any food assistance would go to needy children only. This follows United Nations drought assessments late last year following a Government appeal for foreign financial assistance to carry out its drought relief programme. More than 640 000 Namibians are registered to receive food rations and many others are in need of health-care and farming assistance. UN Representative in Namibia Jacqui Badcock told The Namibian that her organisation intended to brief Government before the end of this month on the type of assistance UN agencies could render, but ruled out offering financial aid. Last November Government appealed to the international community for about N$127 million – the shortfall between what it could pay and the estimated cost of helping all those affected. Besides food aid, Badcock said, the UN could assist in the health sector. She said Government’s appeal for international aid had come very late, giving the UN little time to make an adequate response. She explained that the UN would also have to appeal for donations before committing itself to helping Namibia. The UN head also noted that much of the requested assistance stemmed from broader development concerns, not just related to drought needs. “Whether it rains or not, households are affected by … productivity which has gone down as a result of HIV-AIDS. There is a general need for food and we are conscious and concerned about the AIDS epidemic”. She said the country’s emergency needs ought to be incorporated into its national development plans such as Vision 2030, as food security and adequate water supply were long-term development issues Namibia would have to deal with. In future, she said, the UN hoped to work with the Government’s Emergency Management Unit to broaden the unit’s mandate to conduct more frequent vulnerability assessments and to shorten response times in national crises. Meanwhile, the unit’s Acting Deputy Director, Timothy Shixungileni, has described the distribution of food relief as “under control”. Supplies of maize meal, dried fish and cooking oil are being delivered directly to the regions by contractors. “Although we are still awaiting for [help from] international donors, the companies who got the tenders are delivering and we have not received any complaints,” says Shixungileni. In at least one region, Kavango, food has been stockpiled for distribution, but none has yet reached those in need. The Government’s drought food assistance is expected to continue until at least May.