Niël Terblanché
The people of Namibia are hopeful that acts of kindness will continue to eventually overcome the challenges they face because of the drought.
In this regard, the State of Qatar has extended a hand to the people of the country who are battling the effects of the severe drought conditions.
Qatar donated 58 000 boxes of essential food items such as rice, tuna tins, soya beans, and cooking oil which were handed over to Erongo Regional Governor, Neville Andre at Namport in Walvis Bay on Tuesday.
Andre expressed deep gratitude towards Qatar for its timely assistance.
In his acceptance address, he explained the dire situation faced by local communities, particularly in rural constituencies where agriculture and livestock are the primary livelihoods.
“Families are struggling to make ends meet, and the dire lack of water and food has placed tremendous pressure on our people,” he said.
According to Andre, the donated food parcels are set to benefit communities in the Erongo region as well as people in the Hardap, Karas, and Otjozondupa regions.
Almost half the population in Namibia have been severely impacted by the ongoing drought.
“The assistance aims to alleviate the immediate food security crisis exacerbated by crop failures and livestock losses,” Andre said.
Andre assured the public that mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process, ensuring that aid reaches those most in need.
He said that the welcome support from Qatar brings hope to affected communities and added that it demonstrates the power of international solidarity in addressing humanitarian crises.
Yousef Al Mulla, Head of Disaster and Emergency Response from Qatar represented his nation during the handover in the port.
He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to supporting Namibia during this challenging period, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing humanitarian crises.
“This donation is part of Qatar’s broader efforts to assist Namibia in combating the adverse effects of the drought,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) dispatched multiple batches of aid, including food baskets and wheat produced by the Qatar Armed Forces, to support Namibia’s drought relief initiatives.
Al Mulla said that these contributions are a demonstration of Qatar’s dedication to creating strong bilateral relations and providing humanitarian assistance to nations in need.
The Namibian government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, has been actively mobilizing resources to mitigate the effects of the drought.
