Drought in Namibia
The worst drought in 25 years is affecting Namibia. From July 19 – 25, a delegation comprising church members from LWF member churches in Namibia, the Theological Institute for Advocacy and Research in Africa (LUCSA-TARA) and the LWF Emergency Coordinator for Southern Africa visited affected areas in Kunene and Kavango regions in northern Namibia to assess the need and where assistance with funds from the ACT appeal would be best placed. Photos: Dirk Haarmann
The delegation traveled by car to villages in the Northern region in Namibia. Many communities were isolated from the main road meaning people would not be easily reached by organizations distributing aid. Distances are vast in Namibia and reaching needy communities is a major challenge.
Ongongo village is one of the places affected by the drought that is already affecting close to 800,000 people. A prolonged dry season has resulted in widespread crop failure across the country.
Overgrazing by goats worsens during drought periods leaving the land barren. An estimated 4,000 livestock have died due to the drought depriving the local communities of their livelihood.
The LWF delegation visited several remote villages in the Kunene Region together with the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN). The Government estimates that up to 330,000 people are in need of urgent support.
A prolonged dry season has resulted in widespread crop failure across Namibia. The Government estimates that the 2013 harvest will produce 42% less than the 2012 harvest. As summer approaches families are fearing that there will be no rain for months to come and are becoming increasingly desperate.
The headman of one of the village Otjikondavirongo that the LWF delegation visited relates that he is sure none of their cattle will make it to the next rainy season. However, this is the livelihood and savings for the whole family.
The cattle is weak and the herders do not expect that they will survive up until the end of the year. Selling is not an option since currently a cow sells for ten times less than the normal market value. Lutheran churches in Namibia are assessing how to assist communities in the drought stricken areas.
An abandoned cattle post north of Sesfontein, Northern Namibia. Due to lack of grazing the herders have moved on. However, there is little hope to find grazing anywhere within reach. Lutheran churches in Namibia are assessing how to assist communities in the affected areas.
No rain has fallen for months in the Kunene and Kavango regions and people are becoming desperate. LWF member churches in Namibia are assessing how to assist vulnerable communities with funding from the ACT drought emergency appeal.
There had been no fire the morning the LWF delegation visited the cattle post in Northern Namibia since no maize or mahango meal was available. People start going hungry and have no prospect of hope for when the rain may return.
A grandmother close to Ncaute village in the Kavango region the LWF delegation visited laments that her grandchildren are dying from hunger due to the drought. LWF member churches in Namibia will be assisting affected communities through funds from the ACT drought emergency appeal.
A hungry child with an empty bowl close to Ncaute village in the Kavango region – a little water with some uncooked mielemeel was all she had. The government of Namibia reports that most households depleted their food stocks in September last year and mainly depend on the market for food access. Children are the hardest hit of the 330,000 people in need of urgent support in Namibia and LWF member churches are assessing how to urgently assist the affected communities. To be able to help, they depend on funding through the ACT drought emergency appeal.
