Epupa begs for return of drought relief food

The demand for the resumption of the drought relief programme remains high in the Epupa constituency, where thousands of residents are reportedly facing food insecurity following the termination of government assistance.

Epupa constituency councillor and National Council member Daniel Tjimutambo Kuuko said recently that many households continue to struggle after years of drought devastated livestock herds and livelihoods in the Kunene Region.

"Communities are left without food since the stopping of the programme," Kuuko said.

According to him, more than 11 000 people benefited from the drought relief programme in the constituency, while many others were not registered and continue to face hunger.

"Every day, people are coming to the office asking for food, even today," he said.

Epupa is home to 26 491 people and 4 424 households, according to the 2023 population and housing census. More than half of the population (53.7%) is under the age of 15.

Kuuko said the Regional Disaster Risk Management Unit has written to the Office of the Prime Minister requesting the continuation of the programme, but no response has yet been received.

The government's N$1.8 billion drought relief programme ended last year after improved rainfall conditions across much of the country. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told the National Assembly that the programme had benefited 1.4 million people across all 14 regions.

Government assistance included monthly food baskets, food and game meat distribution, livestock support, seed provision and borehole drilling. Nationally, 384 935 households benefited from the programme.

Opposition parties criticised government's decision to end the programme, arguing that some communities remained vulnerable despite improved rainfall in other parts of the country.