WINDHOEK, July 28 — The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has said that it had concluded a nine-month emergency drought relief operation in Namibia, supporting more than 63,000 vulnerable people affected by El Nino-induced drought.
Funded by a 3-million-U.S.-dollar contribution from the United Nations (UN) Central Emergency Response Fund, the initiative was carried out in partnership with the government of Namibia, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), covering three regions between October 2024 and June 2025.
The relief operation included food assistance through vouchers, hot meals for children, health screenings, and gender-based violence support services, the WFP said in a statement released on Thursday.
WFP Country Representative Naouar Labidi said the response went beyond food delivery, also strengthening local capacities and contributing to economic recovery.
Approximately 41,000 people received three rounds of food vouchers to purchase maize meal, canned fish, and cooking oil from 25 participating retailers, Labidi said, adding that the initiative helped meet immediate food needs while supporting local businesses and supply chains.
According to Labidi, more than 22,000 children received daily meals from 155 soup kitchens, while UNICEF conducted health screenings for over 83,500 people, identifying and referring malnourished children for treatment.
The UNFPA reached over 22,400 people with mobile outreach services focused on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, Labidi said.
Furthermore, the agency reiterated its commitment to working with the Namibian government and partners to strengthen food systems, enhance emergency preparedness, and build resilience against future climate-related shocks. (Xinhua)
