The United Nations has urgently called for international support following a devastating drought in Namibia, leaving nearly half of the country's population grappling with severe food insecurity. The drought, intensified by El Niño, has wreaked havoc on local agriculture and livestock, pushing the nation to the brink of a humanitarian crisis.
At a press briefing in Windhoek on Friday, Reena Ghelani, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Climate Crisis Coordinator for the El Niño/La Niña response, highlighted the dire situation after her visit to Omaheke, a region severely affected by malnutrition. “They lost all their crops and are on the verge of losing their livestock. Aid must be scaled up immediately,” Ghelani stressed.
Recent data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reveals that 1.4 million Namibians, accounting for 48% of the population, are experiencing acute food insecurity. This figure marks a dramatic increase from last year, impacting all 14 regions of the country. The drought has led to a 53% decline in cereal production and a nearly 70% reduction in dam water levels, exacerbating the scarcity of essential resources.
In response, Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba declared a national state of emergency on May 22. The government has expanded its drought relief program, aiming to support 340,000 households through food distributions, water provision, livestock support, and seed programs. However, the demand for aid continues to outpace available resources.
\"The impacts of climate change are with us for a while, so how we work with communities to prepare and respond is crucial,\" said Hopolang Phororo, UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia. Emphasizing the need for sustained international cooperation, Phororo urged the global community to step up its efforts in combating the effects of climate change and ensuring food security for vulnerable populations.
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UN calls for global support as nearly half of Namibians face hunger
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