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Namibia

WFP Namibia Country Brief, May 2024

Attachments

In Numbers

USD 2 million (June 2024 – November 2024) net funding requirements.

Total people assisted in May 2024: 13,187

Home-Grown School Feeding Programme: 10,985 school children

Integrated Community-based Food Systems Projects: 1,457 beneficiaries

Operational Updates

The Tsumkwe Groundbreaking Event

The Tsumkwe Agriculture Hub and Integrated Food Systems Project, a joint venture between the WFP and the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, was recently inaugurated.
Spanning 50 hectares, the project’s initial phase has already created 54 jobs, with a focus on opportunities for women and youth. The project’s primary objectives are to increase access to nutritious food, create jobs, and enhance skill development for the residents of Tsumkwe Constituency and the wider region, traditionally hunters and gatherers.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, the Vice President of the Republic of Namibia and Project Patron, H.E. Dr.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, emphasized the importance of food security to human dignity and security. She expressed her appreciation for WFP’s dedication to helping Namibia achieve self-sufficiency in food production. The project, which employs advanced climate smart agricultural technologies and methodologies, aims to foster community resilience and self-sufficiency, while also generating income through local markets.

Enhancing Food Security and Education through Digital Transformation

The Namibia School Feeding Information Management System (NaSIS) strengthens the Namibia School Feeding Programme (NSFP) through the integration of digital tools such as electronic school rolls, digital meal vouchers, and real-time tracking of attendance. This technological advancement has facilitated the efficient distribution of meals, optimized resource allocation, and promoted local food sourcing. The successful outcomes and best practices from NaSIS have been documented and shared on the WFP's Knowledge Exchange Platform. These findings are expected to promote the replication of NaSIS in other regions or countries facing similar challenges. Key factors for successful replication include robust stakeholder engagement, technical support, sustainable funding, suitable digital infrastructure, and policy alignment.

Piloting Moringa for School Feeding

WFP in partnership with the Namibia Nature Foundation and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), undertook a feasibility study in the Kavango East and West regions. The study aimed to assess the potential of incorporating Moringa into local school children’s diets via the home-grown school feeding programme. The initiative seeks to equip schools and local smallholder farmers with the skills to sustainably grow, produce, and use Moringa, capitalizing on its nutritional advantages. The results from the field assessment suggest that further evaluations and research are necessary before moving forward to the project implementation phase.