In the current period, from July to September 2023, 579,000 people in Namibia (22 percent of the population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) and require urgent action to reduce food gaps and protect livelihoods. Only two regions, Erongo and Khomas are classified in IPC Phase 2, Stressed, and need action for livelihood protection, while the remaining 12 regions are classified in IPC Phase 3, Crisis. Namibia’s deteriorating food security is mainly driven by climatic and prices shocks, economic decline, and unemployment.
In the first projected period, from October 2023 to March 2024, the situation is expected to worsen, with 695,000 people (26 percent of the population) likely to be in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). Erongo and Hardap regions are expected to remain at IPC Phase 2, partly due to government interventions and potential employment opportunities, while the rest of the regions are predicted to stay in IPC Phase 3. Hardap may improve slightly due to planned drought relief measures.
However, in the second projected period from April to June 2024, the situation is likely to improve. Approximately 491,000 people (19 percent of the population) are expected to still face high food insecurity, primarily due to global price increases affecting purchasing power. Seven out of thirteen regions may improve to IPC Phase 2, Stressed, while the remaining six regions are likely to remain at IPC Phase 3, Crisis.