Lahja Nashuuta
The government has so far injected N$1.5 billion in the drought relief programme during the 2023/2024 financial year, I-Ben Nashandi has confirmed.
Nashandi, the executive director (ED) in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), said Namibia is at a tipping point as food insecurity is worsening by the day, with many vulnerable people facing challenges in accessing food.
Speaking at the launch of the voucher-based food distribution system at Groot Aub near Windhoek, he revealed that the number of drought relief beneficiary households has doubled from 172 009 in 2023 to 364 927 in 2024, with the cost now also increasing to N$1.5 billion.
The ED said 5 146 households benefiting from this drought relief programme are in the Windhoek Rural constituency, one of the 10 constituencies in the Khomas region.
So far, 13 retailers have been contracted to supply drought relief food to 3 144 drought-affected households in the constituency. “With the new system, the government has identified local SMEs and retailers as catalysts for this improved service in that the sourcing, storing and distribution of food will be effected through identified selling
points,” he noted. The voucher-based model, hailed by beneficiaries as user-friendly, allows all drought relief beneficiaries to redeem their vouchers from selected and able local retailers in their communities.
Using the e-voucher, beneficiaries can redeem one bag of 20kg maize meal, four tinned fish of 400g, soya mince, or 1.5kg of frozen meat, and a bottle of 750ml cooking oil.
Nashandi emphasised that the success factors for the introduction of this voucher include adherence by retailers to set standards, timely redemption by beneficiaries, correct usage of the items, the timely submission of invoices, and the settlement by the OPM to guarantee the next cycle.
The voucher system was launched in the Okatana constituency in the Oshana region by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in October last year.
The pilot study, which consisted of 1 200 households and 12 retailers, was successful. Therefore, it will now be introduced in all 121 constituencies in the 14 regions countrywide.
At the same event, Khomas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua reiterated the government’s commitment to fast-track drought aid to affected communities.
“As the world increasingly revolves around technology, the Namibian government has made it a priority to leverage the power of science, technology and innovation in improving our systems and processes. These include relooking our disaster response mechanisms, recovery efforts and resilience-building,” she said.
“This is a system and approach that comes with multiple benefits for local disaster-affected communities, as they will be able to redeem their food relief items in a timely and efficient manner”, McLeod-Katjirua continued.
This will also smoothen the government and development partners’ humanitarian programmes through the availability of affected communities’ data, accessible at the click of a button.”
Satisfied
Reacting to the digital food distribution system, 65-year-old mother of four Maria Muinjo could not hold back the tears.
She is one of the beneficiaries at Groot Aub.
Muinjo told New Era that there has been a struggle with accessing drought relief in the past, where everyone must gather at the constituency office in long queues to receive the food items.
“What I like about the new system (e-voucher) is that we are allowed to collect our food at any retailer close to our homestead. Hence, we don’t need to spend on transport,” she said.
She strongly believes that with the e-voucher, no one will be left out, as people will have ample time to collect their items.
“We appreciate the government’s efforts to make access to drought relief easier. In the past, we used to experience delays in receiving our food items. But with the voucher, one can always come tomorrow,” said Katrina Herero, another resident of the Oshakati location in Groot Aub. -lnashuuta@gmail.com