Mbumba appeals for drought assistance
Although government has approved a budget of over N$800 million for drought relief, President Nangolo Mbumba has appealed to the international community to assist Namibia with drought assistance.
Speaking at the 14th edition of the Omagongo Festival at Onambango village on Saturday, Mbumba said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has declared a drought situation, hence the call for support.
“I want to assure you that we are serious, that the whole of the SADC Region has already declared that we have a drought situation and we have declared [an] emergency, and we appeal to all our friends throughout the world, throughout Africa and throughout SADC, that we need some food, we need some help, we need some water,” Mbumba said.
“Those who can help us with money so that we can drill more boreholes, it will be most welcome,” he added.
Long-standing challenge
Mbumba’s appeal comes just weeks after Cabinet announced the implementation of the Office of the Prime Minister's N$825 drought relief programme for the 2024–2025 financial year.
Cabinet ratified the estimated budget, which includes N$600 million for food aid, N$100 million each for the livestock support and water supply programmes, as well as N$25 million for seed and fertiliser provision.
This followed an urgent appeal by the agriculture ministry to the Office of the Prime Minister to declare the current drought a national state of emergency.
Over the past years, many parts of Namibia have been experiencing unpredictable or low rainfall, which has affected farmers who are unable to reap bumper harvests from their crop fields.
Livestock farming has also been negatively affected, with few grazing areas available as well as a lack of water.
Many farmers have lost a significant number of their livestock over the years due to the drought situation.
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Speaking at the 14th edition of the Omagongo Festival at Onambango village on Saturday, Mbumba said the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has declared a drought situation, hence the call for support.
“I want to assure you that we are serious, that the whole of the SADC Region has already declared that we have a drought situation and we have declared [an] emergency, and we appeal to all our friends throughout the world, throughout Africa and throughout SADC, that we need some food, we need some help, we need some water,” Mbumba said.
“Those who can help us with money so that we can drill more boreholes, it will be most welcome,” he added.
Long-standing challenge
Mbumba’s appeal comes just weeks after Cabinet announced the implementation of the Office of the Prime Minister's N$825 drought relief programme for the 2024–2025 financial year.
Cabinet ratified the estimated budget, which includes N$600 million for food aid, N$100 million each for the livestock support and water supply programmes, as well as N$25 million for seed and fertiliser provision.
This followed an urgent appeal by the agriculture ministry to the Office of the Prime Minister to declare the current drought a national state of emergency.
Over the past years, many parts of Namibia have been experiencing unpredictable or low rainfall, which has affected farmers who are unable to reap bumper harvests from their crop fields.
Livestock farming has also been negatively affected, with few grazing areas available as well as a lack of water.
Many farmers have lost a significant number of their livestock over the years due to the drought situation.
[email protected]
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