Government tackles food crisis

The Namibian government on Wednesday said it had finalised plans to distribute food aid to 345,000 people who face critical food shortages over the next eight months. Gabriel Kangowa, the deputy director of the Emergency Management Unit (EMU), told IRIN that beneficiaries would receive food deliveries as early as Thursday. "We have completed all assessments and are poised to help the most vulnerable populations. There is no time to waste because the situation is dire in certain regions," Kangowa said. Earlier estimates put the number of people in need at over 500,000, but Kangowa said the initial assessment "was not done properly". According to the EMU, the region hardest hit by this year's poor harvest was the Caprivi in the extreme northeast. Kangowa said the government's "free food" programme would target lactating and pregnant women, the elderly and children under five. "We have about 30,000 mt of food aid to assist those most in need. The food distribution will be undertaken by Regional Emergency Units. By decentralising the operation, we hope to meet the specific needs of people in the regions," Kangowa said. Part of the relief effort would also have a "food for work" component - to improve roads and build community centres. Funds would also go to school feeding programmes, Kangowa added.