Eveline de Klerk
Isabel Bento
SWAKOPMUND – Erongo governor Neville Andre has called for urgent interventions as water shortages in the region have reached a critical level, with the situation now threatening livelihoods.
The prolonged dry spells have led to the deaths of livestock and disrupted food security.
“Water scarcity remains one of our most urgent challenges. While efforts have been made, the need to accelerate access to water cannot be overstated,” Andre stated.
The governor said the Erongo Water Crisis Committee was established to address the region’s water issues, and identified several challenges, including water losses due to leakages, vandalism of infrastructure and illegal water connections.
Settlements such as Uis and Omaruru in the Daures and Karibib constituencies, respectively, have been grappling with severe water shortages for the past eight years.
Andre expressed concern during the agriculture ministry’s quarterly review workshop in Swakopmund
“Our region continues to suffer from one of the most devastating droughts in recent years.
The prolonged dry spells have significantly impacted farmers, rural communities and livestock,” he told the ministry officials.
To tackle the crisis, the water crisis committee was tasked to assess the situation.
A key concern, Andre noted, is the slow response of the Rural Water Supply office in addressing critical shortages.
“Delays in intervention have left many communities struggling to access this essential resource. Our farmers, the backbone of food production and economic sustainability, require timely support and incentives to cope with these conditions,” he added.
The governor urged immediate measures to strengthen the Rural Water Supply office, whether through increased funding, additional personnel or improved logistical support, saying a well-equipped and responsive office is essential to prevent prolonged hardships.
Despite the challenges, Andre acknowledged the ministry’s support in the installation of the Ozondati pipeline, in supplying water to remote areas, and progress towards constructing a second desalination plant.
“These are achievements to be proud of, and we appreciate your leadership,” he said.
Crisis
Addressing officials at the meeting, agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein acknowledged the country’s ongoing water crisis.
“The President declared a drought emergency at the start of the financial year. Yet, rainfall distribution has been uneven, with some areas still facing severe drought conditions. The public expects us to continue mitigating the impacts of drought, both nationally and at the household level,” he said.
His ministry is fast-tracking drought relief measures to ensure immediate impact.
“We should expedite the implementation of the measures in place to achieve immediate impact on the ground,” he noted.
The ministry has prioritised several interventions, including the construction of 16 earth dams, the drilling of 136 boreholes, and the installation of 238 sanitation facilities in rural areas.
These initiatives aim to support livestock, improve rural water access and address sanitation challenges.
“These measures are designed to alleviate the immediate impacts of drought and safeguard livelihoods,” he reiterated, calling on stakeholders to enhance their efforts in addressing the crisis.
Schlettwein further highlighted that agriculture remains the backbone of rural communities, and underscored the importance of water and land reform in ensuring food security, economic prosperity and social equity.
He called for a renewed focus on small-scale and resettlement farmers, as well as livestock production and veterinary services.
Employees of the agriculture ministry are attending a meeting in Swakopmund to review the achievements and challenges of the previous financial year.
They likewise provide insights into their successes while identifying areas for improvement, helping to discern emerging trends.
National problem
Overall, Namibia has been grappling with a funding shortfall of about N$482 million to shield 1.26 million drought-stricken citizens from a looming hunger crisis.
This was revealed by Prime Minister (PM) Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila late last year.
The PM was addressing the 9th Session of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Conference held in late October 2024.
At the time, from the planned N$1.6 billion drought relief programme, the government was facing a funding gap of about N$482 million to reach an additional 373 276 households, which translates into 1.26 million people, or 41% of the country’s population.
“Therefore, the government is appealing for assistance. Positive responses to our appeal for assistance have been received from development partners, for which we are grateful. Assistance comes in the form of cash and in-kind donations of food and equipment made directly to the government, and donations in cash and kind made through UN agencies. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is currently going through one of the worst droughts in recent years, induced by the El Niño phenomenon.
In total, Namibia has set a budget of N$1.6 billion to roll out a multi-faceted drought relief programme, which includes food assistance to vulnerable households, cash incentives for livestock farmers, and water provision for drought-hit communities.
Last May, President Nangolo Mbumba declared a state of emergency on the protracted drought, which has seen the country’s aggregated cereal production of white maize, sorghum, pearl millet and wheat decreasing by 53%, while dam levels countrywide had dropped by 69.7%.
As a result of the diminishing crop output and declining dam levels, there has been a significant deterioration in household food security in various regions of the country.
Although the government has since late last year continued rolling out drought aid to farmers and households countrywide, limited funds and competing priorities have somewhat stalled efforts to reach all affected households.
In its July/September 2024 report, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification stated that about 1.15 million people, which is 38% of the country’s population, were classified in Phase 3 (Crisis) or above, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance to mitigate food consumption gaps and protect livelihoods.
-edeklerk@nepc.com.na
-Nampa.