Niël Terblanché
The deputy prime minister, John Mutorwa unveiled Namibia’s National Risk Profile of Natural Hazards and Selected Diseases in Windhoek on Wednesday.
This comprehensive document represents a fundamental step in shifting the country’s disaster management approach from reactive to proactive.
Mutorwa said the risk profile, commissioned by the Office of the Prime Minister, provides a detailed analysis of the country’s exposure to various natural hazards, including droughts, floods, heatwaves, windstorms, lightning, and earthquakes.
“The essence of managing disaster risks lies in the proactive, strategic, and sustainable approach to reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience,” he said.
Mutorwa reiterated that the risk profile document is a shift from merely responding to disasters to actively preventing and mitigating their impact.
The Risk Profile leverages granular data from Namibia’s Enumeration Area level, a methodology commonly employed by the National Statistics Agency during censuses.
According to Mutorwa, this detailed level of analysis ensures a more precise understanding of the hazards and vulnerabilities affecting specific sectors, communities, and environments.
“This important Profile we are launching today will potentially provide a good foundation for informed decision-making, resource distribution, and effective development planning,” he said.
He added that among the prominent hazards profiled, drought remains a pressing challenge, with devastating impacts on Namibia’s vulnerable communities.
The government’s nationwide drought relief programme has been essential in mitigating its effects.
Mutorwa also highlighted the rising concern of heatwaves, as temperatures in certain areas of Namibia soar to an average of 38°C.
‘With climate change exacerbating these conditions, the frequency and intensity of such events are expected to increase,” he said.
He called for urgent measures to enhance resilience against these climatic shocks.
According to Mutorwa, the document also addresses the growing threat posed by lightning, which has already claimed lives in the northern regions.
Mutorwa urged heightened public awareness and precautionary measures to prevent further tragedies as Namibia enters the rainy season.
He added that in alignment with the Risk Profile, the Office of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the University of Namibia, is developing a National Resilience Building Strategy.
“This strategy will outline cost-effective, implementable measures to adapt and build resilience to the 14 hazards identified in the Risk Profile,” he said.
Mutorwa stressed the importance of integrating risk information into sectoral plans and added that it would safeguard Namibia’s developmental goals while protecting lives and livelihoods.
“Risk knowledge provides clear and thorough awareness of the risks that could potentially compromise Namibia’s sustainable development aspirations, social cohesion, economic growth, and environmental sustainability,” he said.
He added that as a “living document,” the Risk Profile will be updated regularly to reflect emerging risks.
Mutorwa commended the efforts of the University of Namibia and all stakeholders involved in its development, encouraging all Namibians to act as “risk awareness ambassadors.”
He reiterated that the launch of the risk profile indicates Namibia’s commitment to a proactive disaster risk management strategy, aligning with the global Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
“By prioritising preparedness and resilience, Namibia is taking crucial steps to mitigate the negative impacts of disasters and safeguard its communities and economy for future generations,” he said.
