Government Declares National Emergency Amid Severe Drought, Allocates N$825 Million for Relief

The government has declared a national emergency due to a severe drought and allocated N$825 million for relief efforts. However, Deputy Prime Minister, John Mutorwa announced a funding gap of N$482 million, with the total required amount being N$1.307 billion. Poor rainfall in the 2023/24 season has caused a 53% reduction in crop yields, and the country’s dams are only at 55% capacity, exacerbating the water shortage, especially in central areas like Windhoek. The relief program includes food assistance for nearly 342,000 households, livestock support, and water provisions.