WINDHOEK – The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), through the EU Ambassador to Namibia Raul Fuentes Milani, yesterday handed N$4.1 million to Namibia’s Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob as assistance for drought affected communities in the country.
“The assistance will contribute to the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable, food insecure population in Namibia and will mainly include the provision of short-term food security support to 2 000 individuals,” Ambassador Milani said.
The Namibia Red Cross is now operating nine soup kitchens that target the most vulnerable population groups in need of humanitarian assistance in five regions. Chairman of the Namibia Red Cross Society, Professor Peter Katjavivi, said the NRCS feeds 2 000 people per day for six days a week at its nine emergency mobile catering soup kitchens in Opuwo, Khorixas, Eenhana, Elakalapua, Rundu and Omega.
“The success of this activity and the growing need for this type of assistance has led us to prepare for an expansion of coverage to 2500 beneficiaries and two more soup kitchens,” he said.
Katjavivi said 170 Red Cross volunteers were trained to conduct malnutrition checks, water and sanitation activities, as well as in soup kitchen management.
Geingob thanked the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department through Ambassador Milani.
By Staff Reporter