WINDHOEK: Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government is dedicated to developing plans to mitigate the impact of drought.

While addressing the Swapo Party central committee meeting here on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed concern about the looming drought.

‘We are almost in the middle of April with not much improvement on the rain forecast. That means as a nation, we are faced with a severe drought that will affect both people and livestock. It is therefore important for all of us to understand the impacts and ramifications of the drought,’ she said.

Namibia recorded poor rainfall, which is expected to lead to a very poor harvest for farmers across the country.

Poor rainfall in Namibia is predicted to result in an extremely low harvest for farmers around the nation. Other SADC countries are also affected, with Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe having already declared natural disasters.

‘That suggests that Namibia needs to map out strategies to be able to go through all these natural odds. I can
assure you that our government is committed to working out strategies to mitigate the impact of the drought.

‘However, those strategies will only be successful if those administering the programmes will work and ensure that they deliver the services to the intended beneficiaries. I therefore appeal for strong cooperation on the part of all those who will be involved in the drought management programmes,’ Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

In its November 2023 Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated that 695 000 people in Namibia are projected to face acute food insecurity between October 2023 and March 2024.

The United Nations agency observed that weather and price shocks, as well as subdued economic growth, are key factors driving the high levels of acute food insecurity.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency