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Food insecurity affects 580 000 Namibians

Home National Food insecurity affects 580 000 Namibians

Windhoek

About 580 000 Namibians are adversely affected by the current drought and will have to rely on government assistance until at least March 2016, a crop and vulnerability assessment found.

As such, Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned local millers, who get tenders to mill drought relief food, to deliver on their promises or risk losing such contracts.

“If we give a company work to do on behalf of government and it fails, we will not work them. We will terminate the contract immediately. You cannot negotiate when dealing with people’s lives,” she said.

“Drought has not only affected food production in the country but also water provision, and livestock conditions and marketing –resulting in an increased amount of money required to address all sectors affected,” she noted with concern.

According to the crop and vulnerability assessment, which was conducted between May and June this year, about 580 000 people were found to be food insecure, requiring assistance until March 2016.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government is distributing maize meal to affected communities in all regions, with an amount of 18 400 metric tons of mahangu also being distributed.

She made the remarks on Friday last week when she received an amount of N$200 000 from Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb for the drought relief programme.

She said the country is experiencing yet another severe drought that is impacting on the food and livelihood security of rural farmers.

Isai Nekundi, the manager for stakeholder affairs at Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb, presented the cheque to her.
At the same occasion Atlantic Sea Products donated 8 000 tins of fish valued at N$50 000 for the drought relief programme.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government appreciates the support and contributions from its partners and called upon other stakeholders to follow suit and provide assistance during such difficult times.

“Let me thank the two companies for taking the decision to partner with government as we fight the drought facing us. Fish adds to nutrition. You took time to respond to the government’s call.”

Nekundi said the N$200 000 donation is aligned with one of the company’s core values of community investment.
“Dundee strives to be a responsible corporate citizen and is proud to be part of the Namibian house, the house which is faced with various needs and social challenges, such as drought,” he said.

He said the current drought is notable as hardship is being experienced by both people and animals in many parts of the country.

He added that Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb understands such a reality and the need to contribute to the drought relief fund.

According to Nekundi, drought affects everybody including Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb, its employees and their families. Therefore, the company is joining hands with other corporate citizens to be part of the fight against drought and poverty in Namibia.

Nandi-Ndaitwah promised to ensure that the donations would be fully utilised for the intended purposes and be distributed to the affected communities in the affected regions.