Niël Terblanché
As Southern Africa grapples with one of its most severe droughts in recent history, the Government of Japan has stepped in to provide much-needed relief.
The drought, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, has led to a significant decline in cereal harvests, pushing the region, including Namibia, into a state of serious food insecurity.
In response to this crisis, the Japanese government by way of its diplomatic representative to Namibia, Ambassador Hisao Nishimaki, announced that it has committed US$2.5 million in Emergency Grant Aid, with US$500 000 specifically allocated for Namibia.
This aid will be administered through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and is aimed at addressing the immediate nutritional needs of the most vulnerable populations in the country.
The drought has had a devastating impact on Namibia, where the government recently declared a state of emergency.
The rainfall at the end of last year and early 2024 was only 20% of the regular annual precipitation, severely affecting agricultural production.
The situation has been further compounded by soaring global food prices, making access to basic food supplies even more difficult for many Namibians.
The Japanese Government’s contribution will enable the WFP to provide critical food assistance to approximately 30 000 vulnerable people in Namibia, particularly in the most affected regions such as Kavango East and Kavango West.
The aid package includes essential food items such as fortified maize, pulses, vegetable oil, and salt, which are crucial for the sustenance of those hardest hit by the drought.
The partnership between Japan, the WFP, and the Namibian government is not new.
Japan has been a long-standing supporter of food security initiatives in Southern Africa and has consistently provided assistance to Namibia during times of crisis.
According to the announcement, the latest contribution is part of Japan’s broader commitment to humanitarian aid and its efforts to strengthen food security in the region.
“Japan supports Namibia’s commitment to ensuring that no one goes to bed hungry,” Ambassador Nishimaki said.
The Namibian government, through its National Drought Response Programme, will coordinate the distribution of this aid, ensuring that it reaches those most in need.
This program, supported by international partners like Japan, is vital in mitigating the impact of the ongoing drought and preventing further deterioration of food security in the country.
