Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Nearly one in four children under the age of five in Namibia is stunted as malnutrition worsened due to drought.
The World Food Programme (WFP) Namibia Country Brief for July 2025 reported that 24% of children under five are stunted, 6% suffer from wasting and 13% are underweight.
It said 1 101 deaths due to malnutrition were recorded in all 14 regions during the reporting period.
The WFP linked the crisis to prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall, which disrupted crop and livestock production, increased food prices, and reduced food access.
“Namibia’s deteriorating food security is mainly driven by dry spells and erratic rainfall. Water availability for crop production, livestock and domestic use is at the lowest level due to these climate shocks,” the brief noted.
Between July and September 2024, about 1.15 million people, nearly 40% of the population, were classified as severely food insecure.
This was an increase of 800 000 since December 2022. The hardest-hit regions included Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kunene, Kavango West and Kavango East.
The brief warned that the situation was expected to worsen during the lean season from October 2024 to March 2025, with 776 000 people projected to remain in crisis by June 2025.
To respond, the government approved a national drought relief programme for the 2024/25 fiscal year.
It targeted 362 663 households with food assistance, livestock support and water provision measures.
The WFP stressed that “continued support through the provision of humanitarian assistance and social safety nets will be life-saving and life-sustaining for many households.”
In July, Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate reported progress in his region, where interventions had reduced malnutrition cases.
“A combination of strategic interventions by the Office of the Omaheke governor and partners resulted in a 20% reduction in severe acute and moderate acute malnutrition in the region,” he said in his State of the Region Address in Gobabis.
He said a partnership with Genesis, an organisation focused on combating hunger and malnutrition, had registered more than 800 children with soup kitchens for daily meals. Referral success between soup kitchens and clinics improved from 40 to 60 per cent.
Nganate also highlighted the Omaheke Integrated Community Empowerment and Nutrition Initiative (OICENI), developed with Headstart Kids, which combines medical, social and economic interventions.
“Immediate implementation requires N$3.2 million, while capital investment for the feed and fortification plants amounts to N$14 million, bringing the total projected cost to N$17.2 million,” he said.
