OSHAKATI – Deputy Prime Minister Marco Hausiku says government has endorsed the comprehensive distribution of drought relief food distribution to the needy.
During his visit to the Oshana Region this week, Hausiku told regional councillors, traditional and community leaders, as well as government officials involved in the exercise that they should start distributing food to everyone registered for drought relief without any further delay. According to Hausiku, the initial distribution exercise during which food was only provided to severely affected people ended on July 30 and the comprehensive food distribution programme started on August 01. “After assessing the crops in the fields we realised that we were not going to get a normal harvest. Government then decided to provide 40 000 bags of maize to each region to help people that were severely affected, while [more] food was on the way. Until now you have distributed food according to the interim process, as from [today] you should distribute according to the comprehensive programme, now that we have registered the affected people and the food is now available,” said Hausiku.
During the meeting, Hausiku identified local businessman, Vilho Nghipondoka, owner of Omhalanga Mills, as the person who will be responsible for the supply of maize meal to the Oshana and Omusati regions. Hausiku said Nghipondoka is expected to deliver 120 bags of maize to the two regions which will be topped up by the government. The Oshana Region alone has a total of 94 000 people who registered for drought relief assistance, of which 23 000 are said to be severely affected. The region has a population of 176 678 people according to the 2011 Population and Housing Census.
According to Hausiku, Nghipondoka is also expected to deliver 60 000 bags of maize meal to the Oshana Region, while the government would deliver the remaining 34 000 bags in order to make sure that every affected person receives food. He further urged the parties involved in the food distribution process to ensure that affected people receive food during the first week of every month. Hausiku said each registered individual should receive a bag of 12kg maize meal on a monthly basis and government would provide tinned beef, game, tripe and dry fish, among others as relish.
Hausiku added that community leaders should be on the lookout for people in their communities, who care for orphans, the elderly, as well as those who are sick and disabled and keep them in touch with the Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS), as well as the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN). He said government has provided the two organisations with food to be distributed to vulnerable people, in order to avoid malnutrition in the country. The deputy prime minister further advised that people should adopt the culture of unity and good cooperation during natural disasters such as the prevailing drought. “Let us all realise that now is the time to unite, it is not time to push each other, it is not time to blame one other, it is not time to quarrel, it is not time to be cynical, it is time to work together as a team. From now onward, work as a team,” he implored all drought stricken communities across the nation.
By Helvy Shaanika