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Namibia

WFP Namibia Country Brief, October 2024

Attachments

In Numbers

US$ 14.1 million net funding requirements for the next six months (November ‘24 – April ‘25)

11,412 school children reached through the home-grown school feeding programme

1,457 people reached through the integrated community-based food systems projects

28,044 people reached through cash-based transfers

Operational Updates

Crises Response: Emergency Food Assistance (Vouchers)

WFP is complementing Namibia’s national drought emergency response by providing essential food aid through commodity vouchers to communities facing food insecurity in affected regions. In October, 4,507 households received food assistance. This includes 1,123 households in Kunene, 1,617 households in Zambezi with distributions valued at US$ 56,630 (N$ 911,988), and 1,767 households in Ohangwena with distributions valued at US$ 59,034 (N$ 950,646). Through this targeted support, WFP aims to address urgent food needs and alleviate the effects of drought on vulnerable communities in Namibia.

Service Provision: Retailer Assessment

WFP collaborated with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, local authorities, and the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), to assess 146 retailers across 9 regions in October 2024. These retailers will support WFP’s emergency drought relief by delivering food closer to affected communities.

WFP also partnered with MTC to establish a credit facility with major food suppliers in the Zambezi Region to address credit access challenges for small and medium enterprises. This initiative enables retailers to obtain food commodities on credit under favourable terms. WFP aims to expand this model to all regions where the voucher programme operates, enhancing retailers' participation in the food supply chain.

Food Systems: World Food Day Commemoration

WFP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Omaheke Regional Council, and other development partners, hosted the 2024 World Food Day commemoration on 16 October 2024, in the Omaheke Region. This year’s theme, "Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future: Leave No One Behind," emphasized the importance of equitable food access and highlights global efforts to end hunger and food insecurity.