South Korea donates N$60m rice to support 300 000 Namibians

South Korea has donated 4 896 tonnes of rice worth approximately N$60 million to Namibia, with an estimated 300 000 Namibians expected to benefit.

The donation was officially handed over through the Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) and will be distributed to vulnerable households across all 14 regions of the country.

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare thanked the South Korean government for its generous donation.

“A friendship is not only in times of good but also in times of darkness, and we are very appreciative of this donation,” Ngurare said.

Officials from South Korea said the assistance forms part of the country’s commitment to supporting global food security through humanitarian partnerships.

The rice will be delivered through UNWFP, which will assist in coordinating distribution efforts to communities most in need.

“This is far more than just a transfer of resources. It is a symbol of Korea’s unwavering commitment to stand with Namibia in times of unpredictable challenges,” South Korean country representatives said during the handover.

Ngurare also appealed to South Korea to consider supporting Namibia’s long-term agricultural ambitions, expressing hope that one day the country could begin producing its own rice domestically with technical cooperation.

Long friendship

As Namibia prepares to mark its 36th year of independence, the milestone will also coincide with 36 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. South Korea was among the first 26 countries to establish diplomatic relations with Namibia following independence.

According to South Korean officials, the partnership between the two nations has included previous humanitarian support. During the Covid-19 pandemic, South Korea provided Namibia with US$400 000 worth of testing kits and 50 000 face masks.

In 2024, when Namibia faced a severe drought, South Korea also contributed US$500 000 in humanitarian assistance, benefiting around 25 000 drought-affected individuals through UNWFP programmes.

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