Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Commonwealth Heads of Mission in Namibia, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a six-month initiative to improve nutrition, health, and protection for children and communities in Mpungu Constituency, Kavango West.
The initiative called Building Brighter Tomorrows is valued at N$188 000 and will run from August 2025 to January 2026.
The Commonwealth Heads of Mission contributed N$100 000, while UNFPA and WFP jointly provided N$88 000.
The program ill be implemented with government ministries, local authorities, and community stakeholders.
UNFPA communication officer Emma Mbekele said the programme will reach 400 learners at Gava Combined School and 100 community members and service providers.
“Key interventions of this project will include boosting nutrition by enhancing school meals and revitalising the school’s vegetable garden under a Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, supplying diverse and nutritious meals while promoting local food production. Promoting dignity and hygiene by distributing dignity kits to learners, ensuring equitable access for boys and girls, and addressing menstrual health barriers to education,” she said.
She added that the initiative will expand health and protection services through mobile outreach, offering child health care, sexual and reproductive health services, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response.
It will also strengthen community resilience by supporting local food systems and livelihoods.
“Together, we’re strengthening food security, building partnerships, and ensuring no child is left behind in the fight for a healthier, more resilient Namibia,” said Yakubu Alhassan, high commissioner for Ghana in Namibia.
United Nations (UN) resident coordinator to Namibia, Hopolang Phororo, said the initiative builds on opportunities while addressing challenges.
“By integrating sexual and reproductive health, GBV prevention, and nutrition, we are giving learners the tools to build lives free from violence, stigma, and poor health. It’s about dignity and opportunity for every child,” said Erika Goldson, UNFPA Namibia Representative.
WFP country director Naouar Labidi said the partnership is about investing in the future.
“When children are nourished, healthy, and protected, they can focus on learning. Through this partnership we are strengthening school meals, local food systems, and community support to ensure that no child goes hungry,” she said.
The project follows a recent UN drought relief operation in Kavango West, Kavango East, and Omaheke, which delivered emergency food assistance, nutrition services, and GBV prevention to tens of thousands of Namibians between October 2024 and March 2025.
By addressing malnutrition, poor health, and protection risks, Building Brighter Tomorrows aims to improve school attendance, strengthen resilience, and support well-being in one of Namibia’s most vulnerable regions.
