68% of Namibians believe Covid funds were embezzled
In addition to expressing significant dissatisfaction with the fairness of the government’s Covid-19 relief assistance, more than 68% of Namibians believe that some or a lot of resources intended for the response to the pandemic have been lost to corruption.
This is according to an Afrobarometer survey during which respondents were asked to consider all of the funds and resources available to government for combatting and responding to the pandemic and how much they think was lost or stolen due to corruption.
Only 6% thought that none of these resources were embezzled.
The survey confirms the pandemic’s massive toll on Namibians, both through health consequences and economic effects.
It found that three in 10 Namibians (30%) say a member of their household or family died of Covid-19, while more than one-third (35%) say someone in their household lost a job, business or primary source of income due to the pandemic.
“Vaccine uptake remains low, as many Namibians say they are unlikely to get vaccinated,” according to the survey.
Findings showed that 27% of Namibians say they have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
“About the same proportion say they are somewhat likely (15%) or very likely (12%) to try to get vaccinated.”
However, more than four in 10 citizens (43%) say they are unlikely to get vaccinated, while 29% consider it very unlikely.
According to Afrobarometer, a majority of vaccine-hesitant citizens cite concerns about the safety of Covid-19 vaccines as their main reasons.
Only four in 10 Namibians (22%) say they trust the government somewhat or a lot (16%) to ensure the safety of Covid-19 vaccines.
Government response to Covid-19
Meanwhile, a majority (62%) of Namibians say the government is doing fairly well or very well in managing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A total of 61% are satisfied with government’s efforts to minimise disruptions to children’s education and to ensure that healthcare facilities are adequately resourced (57%).
However, only 40% express satisfaction with the state’s efforts in providing relief assistance to vulnerable households.
More than four in 10 Namibians (44%) report that their household received Covid-19 relief assistance from the government, while 54% say they did not.
Limit democratic freedoms
In Namibia, 69% of citizens agree that it is justified for government to use the armed forces or the police to enforce public health mandates during an emergency like the pandemic, the survey said.
Views are, however, divided when it comes to censoring media reporting during a public health emergency - 45% consider this acceptable, while 43% do not.
About the same proportion, 44%, would accept postponing elections during the pandemic, while 35% disagree.
According to the survey, most Namibians believe that their government is not adequately prepared for future health emergencies and should invest in preparations for such crises, even at the cost of other health services.
Almost two-thirds (64%) of citizens think government will not be prepared, of which 51% think it will be very unprepared, while only 14% believe the state is very prepared and will be ready for the next public health crisis.
In line with these concerns, 62% agree that government needs to invest more in preparing for future public health emergencies, even if it means that fewer resources are available for other health services.
This is according to an Afrobarometer survey during which respondents were asked to consider all of the funds and resources available to government for combatting and responding to the pandemic and how much they think was lost or stolen due to corruption.
Only 6% thought that none of these resources were embezzled.
The survey confirms the pandemic’s massive toll on Namibians, both through health consequences and economic effects.
It found that three in 10 Namibians (30%) say a member of their household or family died of Covid-19, while more than one-third (35%) say someone in their household lost a job, business or primary source of income due to the pandemic.
“Vaccine uptake remains low, as many Namibians say they are unlikely to get vaccinated,” according to the survey.
Findings showed that 27% of Namibians say they have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
“About the same proportion say they are somewhat likely (15%) or very likely (12%) to try to get vaccinated.”
However, more than four in 10 citizens (43%) say they are unlikely to get vaccinated, while 29% consider it very unlikely.
According to Afrobarometer, a majority of vaccine-hesitant citizens cite concerns about the safety of Covid-19 vaccines as their main reasons.
Only four in 10 Namibians (22%) say they trust the government somewhat or a lot (16%) to ensure the safety of Covid-19 vaccines.
Government response to Covid-19
Meanwhile, a majority (62%) of Namibians say the government is doing fairly well or very well in managing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A total of 61% are satisfied with government’s efforts to minimise disruptions to children’s education and to ensure that healthcare facilities are adequately resourced (57%).
However, only 40% express satisfaction with the state’s efforts in providing relief assistance to vulnerable households.
More than four in 10 Namibians (44%) report that their household received Covid-19 relief assistance from the government, while 54% say they did not.
Limit democratic freedoms
In Namibia, 69% of citizens agree that it is justified for government to use the armed forces or the police to enforce public health mandates during an emergency like the pandemic, the survey said.
Views are, however, divided when it comes to censoring media reporting during a public health emergency - 45% consider this acceptable, while 43% do not.
About the same proportion, 44%, would accept postponing elections during the pandemic, while 35% disagree.
According to the survey, most Namibians believe that their government is not adequately prepared for future health emergencies and should invest in preparations for such crises, even at the cost of other health services.
Almost two-thirds (64%) of citizens think government will not be prepared, of which 51% think it will be very unprepared, while only 14% believe the state is very prepared and will be ready for the next public health crisis.
In line with these concerns, 62% agree that government needs to invest more in preparing for future public health emergencies, even if it means that fewer resources are available for other health services.
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Namibian Sun
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