Namibia needs food assistance
Namibia needs food assistance

Namibia needs food assistance

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sparse rainfall and outbreaks of locusts, Namibia is one of 34 countries in Africa and - 45 worldwide - in need of external assistance for food.
Ellanie Smit
ELLANIE SMIT







WINDHOEK

Namibia is identified as one of the African countries that still needs external assistance for food by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

According to a new FAO Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, 45 countries, 34 of which are in Africa, continue to be in need of external assistance for food.

“The 45 countries have been affected, to varying degrees, by the coronavirus pandemic and, as a result, the pandemic is considered a key factor that has worsened food insecurity and increased the need for humanitarian assistance.”

The impact of the pandemic, particularly in terms of income losses, is an important driver of the levels of global food insecurity, exacerbating and intensifying already fragile conditions.

The report said Namibia is experiencing localised shortfalls in staple food production due to the economic slowdown.

About 441 000 people in Namibia are estimated to be food insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance between October and March 2021, the report further read.

Sparse rainfall another challenge

“Although the availability of food is adequate and stable, the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic, primarily income and job losses, have constrained households’ access to food.”

The report said in southern Africa, planting of the 2021 cereal crops, to be harvested next year, is well underway.

However, cumulative rainfall amounts in October and November in southern Angola and Namibia have been sparse compared to normal figures. This can result in early seasonal soil moisture deficits that could curtail plantings.

But there is a silver lining - weather forecasts for the December to February 2021 period indicate a higher-than-normal probability of above-average rainfall in most countries.

The report added that although official estimates on planting intentions are not available for most countries, the sub-regional 2021 cereal acreage is foreseen at an average to above-average level.

Access improving

Meanwhile, with many of the Covid-19 associated movement restrictions lifted in recent months, physical access to agricultural input markets and fields has improved, the report said.

However, there are some concerns for the 2021 cereal production due to the adverse effects of the pandemic on farmers’ income that are likely to limit their ability to purchase agricultural inputs.

Further risks to the 2021 cereal production are outbreaks of African migratory locusts and red locust hoppers, which were first reported in Namibia in February, have since spread and are now present in Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“Governments with support from FAO are monitoring the situation and implementing containment and mitigation measures.”

Severely stressed food security

The report further added that despite the easing of movement restrictions helping to stimulate economic activities, the impact of the pandemic has severely stressed food security conditions.

The primary effect has been through loss of jobs and income and, as a result, households’ capacity to access food was reduced.

The most significant economic decline is forecast in Zimbabwe, with substantial downturns also estimated in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, the report said.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-08

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