Niël Terblanché
Prime Minister Elijah Tjitunga Ngurare has thanked the governments of Japan and the European Union (EU) for donating more than N$32 million to support the country’s drought relief efforts.
Speaking in Windhoek on Wednesday, Ngurare described drought as a slow-onset crisis that weakens food security, damages livelihoods, and threatens health and dignity.
He said the current drought is among the worst Namibia has faced in recent years, with subsistence farmers the hardest hit.
“The 2024/25 Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis conducted by the Office of the Prime Minister revealed that over 1.26 million people – about 41% of the population – are facing food insecurity. This reflects the extent to which livelihoods were compromised,” he said.
The government declared a state of emergency on 22 May 2025.
He said the government has since then developed a drought response plan with input from key partners.
The plan includes both immediate relief and long-term measures, particularly in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector, to address the rising risks of malnutrition and disease.
He stated that a funding shortfall of N$600 million has stretched government resources.
“This additional generous donation is a timely intervention that complements government efforts. It will help mitigate the negative effects brought about by the persistent drought situation on vulnerable communities,” he said.
Japan previously donated US$500 000 through the UN World Food Programme for food assistance.
The EU contributed €200,000 through the Namibia Red Cross Society, targeting over 140,000 drought-affected people with food, clean water, and multi-purpose cash support.
Ngurare stressed the importance of access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
“Such access is not a luxury but a basic human right,” he said.
He added that women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities suffer most during drought.
“These conditions heighten the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera and diarrhoea, placing greater pressure on health systems,” he said.
Ngurare assured donors that the aid will reach the intended beneficiaries through collaboration with Unicef and other partners.
“On behalf of the Namibian government, I express profound appreciation to the people of Japan and the European Union for the additional support,” he said.
