Taimi Haihambo
ONGWEDIVA – At the commencement of the 2022/2023 rainy season, meteorologists predicted normal to above-normal rainfall throughout the farming season for the SADC region.
However, Namibia was hit by a dry spell between February and April.
This severely affected crops and livestock.
At the moment, some villages in the four central northern regions of Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana and Omusati are already experiencing drought, and many mahangu farmers have given up on harvesting grain, while some livestock farmers have moved their animals to areas that seem to have better pastures.
As the anticipated drought starts to rear its ugly head, regional leaders of the four regions have embarked upon drought impact assessments.
Chairperson of the Ohangwena Regional Council management committee Erikson Ndawanifwa said registration for affected households has started.
Once the list is complete, it will be forwarded to the office of the prime minister for possible drought-relief assistance.
“We are considering households headed by both the employed and unemployed because even the employed masses are faced with financial difficulties. The prices of food are skyrocketing, while some households have many people with only one breadwinner,” he said.
Ndawanifwa, who is also the councillor for Omulonga constituency, further said the ongoing assessment will also determine the quantity of affected livestock.
It is not yet clear whether government will assist with feeds for livestock.
Several residents are now allowing their livestock to graze in the mahangu fields to consume crop remnants considered useless.
On his part, Oshana governor Elia Irimari said people in many constituencies in his region have lost hope.
He said residents in his region have moved their cattle to other locations they deem “better”.
Irimari said the regional council will respond once all the required data are gathered. He, however, maintained there are already measures in place to help those who are affected.
“For a few farmers, the only promising crops are groundnuts and beans; we cannot talk about mahangu. The situation appears to be dire. The worrying factor is that food is incredibly expensive, and people are already struggling with affordability,” the governor continued.
Oshikoto regional council spokesperson Petrus Nehale said no harvests are anticipated in most areas of the region.
According to him, the looming drought is a “double sword” to his region, as many constituencies are already struggling with water scarcity.
He maintains the Oshikoto Regional Council has not received drought relief food since 2019 from the central government, despite the long-existing challenges.
He, however, alluded that the regional council has set aside a small budget, as an emergency fund that may assist with the basics for a few community members in need.
Nehale, however, urged communities not to panic because government, through the regional council, is still working on assistance measures despite limited funding available.
“We will get through this together,” he promised.
Chairperson of the Omusati Regional Council management committee Andreas Shintama said over the years, only five constituencies in his region were known to be drought-stricken and receive food aid on an annual basis.
This will, however, be a different case this year, as seven other constituencies are equally affected.
“We are requesting assistance from all charitable groups and anyone else who can support our people to come to our aid,” he pleaded.