Omaheke, south to receive drought relief and livestock support

Cabinet has directed the Office of the Prime Minister to provide food assistance to drought-stricken households in the //Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke regions between 1 July 2023 to 31 March 2024.

Information and Communication Technology minister Peya Mushelenga made the announcement on the 7th Cabinet decisions taken last Tuesday.

Mushelenga said the food assistance will be conducted through the respective regional councils, with funding from the National Emergency Disaster Fund (NEDF).

Mushelenga said Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, with funding from NEDF, to provide the drought-stricken regions of Omaheke, Hardap and //Kharas with the livestock support programme, at the cost estimate of N$87,4 million for six months.

“This livestock support will consist of livestock marketing incentives, subsidy for transportation of livestock to and from grazing areas, and subsidy for lease of grazing.

“Cabinet further directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to consider the extension of the livestock support programme to drought-stricken Kunene, parts of Erongo and parts of the Omusati regions,” said Mushelenga.

In further interventions to cushion those severely affected by drought, Cabinet has taked the water ministry to ensure regular maintenance and repair of boreholes and water points, and provision of tanker services through water tankers at the Omaheke, //Kharas and Hardap regions.

The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise, is also expected to intensify the roll-out of social welfare programmes in urban centres and among marginalised communities in affected regions.

Mushelenga said Cabinet also directed the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare to assess the conditions of the Bakgalagadi communities in the Omaheke region to determine if they qualify for assistance through marginalised programmes, while the Ministry of Health and Social Services ensures continuous issuance of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food sachets to malnourished diagnosed cases, and water purification tablets in all regions.