US feeds 350 000
Over N$130 million has been pledged by the US government to assist its Namibian counterpart with addressing drought hunger.
The United States embassy will be providing food to over 350 000 Namibians during the next six months as part of its contribution to eradicating hunger in drought-affected communities.
This was revealed on Wednesday by US ambassador Lisa Johnson at Likwaterera village in the Kavango East Region, where hundreds of drought-stricken families received food items.
“This is the first delivery of food promised by the United States. Over the next six months we will be providing food to over 350 000 Namibians across the country,” Johnson said.
She said drought-affected communities in the two Kavango regions will receive 800 metric tonnes of food comprising of maize meal, beans, vegetable oil and salt.
The food items donated to the Kavango regions is worth N$15 million.
Johnson said over N$130 million has been pledged by the US government to assist its Namibian counterpart with addressing drought hunger.
“While Namibia is used to low rainfall, the last rainfall season was far below average. Crops failed and livestock have died.
“Unfortunately the Kavango regions were among the hardest hit by the effects of the drought. That is why we are beginning the delivery of our food assistance here. The United States wants to ensure that our food goes first to those who need it most,” Johnson explained.
She said the World Food Programme (WFP) is managing the procurement and distribution of the food.
Frans Ngondo (59) expressed his utmost gratitude after receiving his food items.
Ngondo, who lives with his daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, said they are finding it difficult to make ends meet, as the drought had resulted in them reaping nearly no harvest last season.
“I am very happy for what we received.
“This means a lot to me and my family, as we now have food to eat,” he said.
With a year to go before he qualifies for a monthly old-age pension grant, Ngondo said life as an unemployed person at Likwaterera village has been difficult over the years.
Kavango East governor Samuel Mbambo thanked the donors for their kind gesture.
KENYA KAMBOWE
This was revealed on Wednesday by US ambassador Lisa Johnson at Likwaterera village in the Kavango East Region, where hundreds of drought-stricken families received food items.
“This is the first delivery of food promised by the United States. Over the next six months we will be providing food to over 350 000 Namibians across the country,” Johnson said.
She said drought-affected communities in the two Kavango regions will receive 800 metric tonnes of food comprising of maize meal, beans, vegetable oil and salt.
The food items donated to the Kavango regions is worth N$15 million.
Johnson said over N$130 million has been pledged by the US government to assist its Namibian counterpart with addressing drought hunger.
“While Namibia is used to low rainfall, the last rainfall season was far below average. Crops failed and livestock have died.
“Unfortunately the Kavango regions were among the hardest hit by the effects of the drought. That is why we are beginning the delivery of our food assistance here. The United States wants to ensure that our food goes first to those who need it most,” Johnson explained.
She said the World Food Programme (WFP) is managing the procurement and distribution of the food.
Frans Ngondo (59) expressed his utmost gratitude after receiving his food items.
Ngondo, who lives with his daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, said they are finding it difficult to make ends meet, as the drought had resulted in them reaping nearly no harvest last season.
“I am very happy for what we received.
“This means a lot to me and my family, as we now have food to eat,” he said.
With a year to go before he qualifies for a monthly old-age pension grant, Ngondo said life as an unemployed person at Likwaterera village has been difficult over the years.
Kavango East governor Samuel Mbambo thanked the donors for their kind gesture.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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