Niël Terblanché
The Turkish government has stepped in to strengthen Namibia’s drought relief programme by donating food aid worth approximately N$350 000.
The much-needed assistance that was handed over on Friday, comes at a critical time, as almost half of the country’s population faces hunger because of the impact of the ongoing drought that has severely affected food security and the livelihoods of many vulnerable communities.
During a ceremony held in Windhoek on 18 October 2024, Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister, John Mutorwa, expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the Namibian government for the country’s timely donation.
He explained that the government’s 2024/25 Comprehensive Drought Response Relief Programme (CDRRP) is under immense strain, as the drought has resulted in poor harvests, reduced rangelands, and widespread water shortages.
“The cost of implementing the CDRRP is estimated at N$1.6 billion, with the government already allocating over N$800 million,” he said.
Mutorwa pointed out that a substantial funding gap of more than N$600 million remained which prompted the government to seek assistance from international partners.
He said that Turkey has been a reliable donor in Namibia’s time of need, with previous contributions made during past droughts and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The valuable support and donation from the Government of the Republic of Turkey will certainly augment our government’s efforts in safeguarding lives and livelihoods, particularly of the severely affected vulnerable communities of our nation,” he said.
According to Mutorwa, the drought relief food aid will be distributed to the most vulnerable households across the country.
He pointed out that in addition to short-term assistance, like the most recent donation of emergency supplies, Turkey continues to engage in long-term projects aimed at addressing the root causes of food insecurity and fostering resilience against climate-related challenges.
According to Mutorwa, international support such as Turkey’s is critical to alleviating the effects of the drought and ensuring food security for all affected Namibians.
The Turkish Ambassador, Feral Oruckaptan handed over the food aid package, which included 2 000 kilograms of maize, 760 litres of cooking oil, 1 000 kilograms of canned fish, and 500 kilograms of soya mince.
This contribution, procured locally by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), is aimed at supporting people most affected by the drought and at the same time assisting the Namibian economy by benefiting local producers and retailers.
Ambassador Oruckaptan stressed Turkey’s commitment to standing in solidarity with Namibia during this challenging period.
“In times of need, solidarity is what friendly nations feel obliged to do,” she said while reaffirming the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Oruckaptan also pointed out Turkey’s continued support for sustainable solutions to the problems caused by climate change, citing the work of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which has been active in Namibia since 2014.
“Over 110 projects have been completed by TIKA, with five more related to agriculture and food security set to be finished by the end of this year, including a drought project in Gobabis,” she said.
While the drought continues to impact an increasing number of communities nationwide, the collaborative efforts between Namibia and Turkey demonstrate what can be achieved through international cooperation in the face of environmental adversity.
