OPUWO – The leadership of the Kunene Region has urged Government and charitable organisations to stand in solidarity with the region as it endures the devastating impacts of drought, which has left thousands of households facing acute hunger.

Almost 64% per cent of the Kunene region’s population is food insecure.

According to recent data released by Governor Marius Sheya during his State of the Region Address, more than 78 000 Kunene residents, or 35 002 households, are experiencing acute hunger.

Sheya noted that climate change exacerbated droughts, causing continuous heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall which harm human health and livelihoods.

In an interview with Nampa, Sesfontein Constituency councillor Nico Somaeb called for concerted efforts to alleviate hunger in the region. He stressed that while the government prioritises citizens, it overlooks the critical role of livestock in farmers’ livelihoods. Somaeb called for incentives and long-term solutions to preserve livestock.

“Drought relief food is available to help the impacted farmers, but it doesn’t deal with the problem of the drought-affected scenario because the farmers need to feed their remaining animals,” Somaeb remarked.

Epupa councillor Tjumutambo Kuuoko echoed Somaeb’s sentiments and called for urgent assistance.

He said that given the region’s recurring drought over the last decade, it is time for the government to acknowledge drought as a permanent feature and incorporate it into yearly fiscal plans, rather than treating it as a national emergency.

He also indicated that more farmers have relocated to other regions bordering Angola in search of better grazing, warning that continued drought will lead to more people suffering from acute hunger.

-Nampa