Divundu
Over 33 000 drought-stricken residents of Mukwe constituency in Kavango East have started receiving food parcels from the government to help alleviate the effects of the current drought.
Mukwe constituency has a population exceeding 33 000, the majority of whom rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture.
Those shortlisted and screened for the two-phased drought relief exercise are receiving 12.5kg bags of maize flour, cans of tinned sardines and bottles of cooking oil.
“The process of distribution to the beneficiaries is carried out on a monthly basis to each village within the constituency,” said Kristian Kalyangu Muriki the regional councillor for Mukwe.
The two-pronged drought mitigation measure comprises comprehensive drought relief that covers “all drought affected communities, while the critical (interim) drought relief process only focuses on the severely drought affected”. The critical food distribution started in July and it was concluded recently, while the comprehensive part of this exercise is expected to start soon until villagers reap the first crop harvest hopefully next year.
“The distribution of drought relief aid to marginalised people is intended to benefit the marginalised people only,” said Muriki.
“All the drought-affected individuals in Mukwe constituency will benefit from this programme. The number of people who have so far been registered is not available because the compiled lists are being kept at the regional warehouse in Rundu,” he said.
“All villages in Mukwe including the Divundu settlement and Omega One resettlement are benefitting from the programme and the constituency has a total of 96 villages,” explained the constituency councillor.
For the period August to October 2015, a total of 364 137 bags were distributed to the critically affected in Mukwe constituency.
Muriki however stated the distribution teams have experienced some problems inland partly due to heavy sand and as a result it takes time to cover certain villages.
Apart from the sandy state of some roads some beneficiaries have complained the maize flour has not been sifted well but Muriki says “the maize meal is good if it is cooked properly”. In response to a question, he replied that at constituency level there were no incidents recorded of food not being distributed on time and ended up being spoilt.
On the possibility of some of the food being sold by some recipients as has happened previously, Muriki said he has approached and advised the communities on the purpose of the drought relief food.
“So far since the inception of the programme the constituency office did not receive a report of any incident,” he elaborated.
“The constituency office does appreciate the initiative of the government to introduce the relief programme aimed at assisting our communities. The Office of the Prime Minister which is the custodian of the programme is doing its best to coordinate the programme through the various regional councils,” said Muriki. Despite the drought relief exercise, communal farmers in Mukwe are concerned that if the drought persists they will need more food handouts while livestock could die. Over 400 000 Namibians have been listed to receive drought relief food.