Ongwediva – Governor of Oshana Region Clemens Kashuupulwa said his office is content with the aftermath of the drought meeting held in the region a month ago.
He said some of the critical concerns raised at the meeting are already being addressed and the results are already felt by the affected communities.
Kashuupulwa said a large percentage of the population of the region is also benefiting from the extended drought relief programme.
Cabinet earlier this year decided to extend the drought relief programme for three months from May, pending finalisation of the vulnerability assessment report.
The programme was further extended from August this year to March 2017 to cater for an estimated 600 000 affected people.
According to the governor more people are currently benefiting from the drought relief programme compared to the past.
“The issue of food not being enough has also been addressed because the list of beneficiaries has been increased to cater for a much bigger population,” said the governor.
In addition to the drought relief programme, the region has also made good strides in bringing water closer to farmers in the grazing areas.
Following the meeting, a company was contracted to excavate the Olushandja-Uuvidhiya canal to take water to farmers in the popular grazing area of Uuvudhiya.
To date, according to the governor the water has reached parts of Uuvidhiya, bringing relief to farmers in the area.
“The process of pumping water to destined areas is very slow, however, it is something to be grateful for because there are already people who are benefiting from the water,” said Kashuupulwa.
The water being pumped from Olushandja dam in Omusati Region is envisaged to travel at least 130 km, filling up over four dams in the area.