UN Namibia gives funds for drought relief

THE United Nations Children’s Fund’s country representative Rachel Odede says UN has to date mobilised N$15 million to complement the government’s response to the drought crisis.

Odede was speaking at a breakfast meeting co-hosted by United Nations in Namibia and the ministry of international relations and cooperation on Wednesday.

The aim of the meeting was to encourage open and lively discussions around avenues of cooperation in providing an effective drought response and support to Namibia.

The diplomatic community and heads of international organisations attended the meeting.

“The UN also has ongoing activities dedicated towards drought, and has reprogrammed some of its resources, including agencies’ technical assistance to support the government in immediate interventions to cope with the situation,” Odede said.

She described the meeting as an excellent opportunity for delegates to exchange ideas around ongoing and planned support towards drought relief, as well as how to maximise efforts to assist Namibia.

This, she noted, would strengthen resilience capacities.

Odede said the UN, in consultation with the government, has already identified priority life-saving interventions.

“The UN has drafted an appeal for Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) funding, based on the need, rather than solely on funding gaps in the response plan,” she added.

CERF is one of the fastest and most effective ways to ensure that urgently needed humanitarian assistance reaches people caught up in crises. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005 as the United Nations global emergency response fund, and enables humanitarian responders to deliver life-saving assistance whenever and wherever crises strike.

The country representative also urged the diplomatic community and heads of international organisations to commit to doing more in order to prevent similar emergencies in other parts of the world.

Speaking at the event, Namibia’s deputy minister of international relations and cooperation Christine //Hoëbes welcomed the generous contribution, noting that it is a “boost to our coffers”, and that it warmed the hearts of Namibians, especially those direly affected by the drought and the resultant food scarcity.

//Hoëbes said one beautiful take-away from the meeting is that it gives the UN system a human face as it is a world body, driven by people for the people, with a deeply engrained passion and commitment for human rights.

*This article has been updated.

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