Patience Makwele
The plight of vulnerable children in the Omaheke Region has once again cast a spotlight on the paradox of hunger in resource-rich Namibia, with regional leaders questioning how children continue to suffer from malnutrition despite the country’s economic potential.
The concerns were raised on Tuesday as employees of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) donated food items worth more than N$44,000 to community organisations caring for vulnerable children in Omaheke.
Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate said the continued need for food assistance should concern leaders and institutions across the country.
“How can people be so rich in a country that is yet so poor? These are the things that should keep us awake at night. Omaheke is the least populated region in the country and we are too few to be hungry and dying of hunger,” he said.
The governor noted that while the under-five mortality rate in the region has declined from 15% to 4%, many children and families continue to rely on soup kitchens and community initiatives for basic nutritional support.
The donation was made through the NamRA Stars initiative, under which employees voluntarily contributed N$100,000 to support vulnerable communities, enabling the purchase of food items valued at more than N$44,000 for distribution to ten beneficiaries across the region.
NamRA commissioner Sam Shivute said poverty and malnutrition cannot be solved through isolated acts of generosity but require collective action.
“We know this gesture will not change the situation overnight but it may inspire others to do the same. Today, we need to have a heart for giving,” he said.
The beneficiaries include community centres and soup kitchens in Gobabis, Drimiopsis, Otjinene and Witvlei, many of which provide daily meals to children from vulnerable households.
Among them is Vaal en Opstaan in Gobabis, a centre caring for more than 10 children and run by a local caregiver committed to ensuring vulnerable children receive food and support.
The latest intervention has renewed questions about the persistence of child hunger and malnutrition in communities despite years of government and private sector efforts to address poverty and improve living conditions.
Community leaders say the growing reliance on soup kitchens and charitable initiatives highlights the socio-economic challenges still facing many households and highlights the need for sustainable solutions that tackle poverty, unemployment and food insecurity.
