Lack of data and resources affects OVC interventions

Namibia lacks sufficient data and resources to provide adequate support to 130,000 orphans, many of them affected by AIDS, according a new report. The country required a centralised comprehensive food security and vulnerability information system, according to Rene Verduijn, a consultant hired by the World Food Programme (WFP) to conduct an assessment of interventions with a food component targeting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). "Detailed descriptions of OVC households, their location, livelihoods, coping mechanisms and specific needs are also incomplete," she noted, which would help to package support designed for specific needs. Namibia is expected to have 200,000 AIDS orphans by 2021. Half the current 130,000 orphans are living in the central northern regions, while the rest are found in the northeastern areas of Kavango and Caprivi, and in and around the capital, Windhoek. Verduijn provided details of the various interventions run by government bodies and NGOs, including the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Child Welfare (MWACW), with its implementing partners, such as the WFP, the Namibian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and faith-based organisations, among them the Catholic AIDS Action (CAA), all of which appeared to be affected by technical constraints. The MWACW, which took over responsibility for the welfare of children, including OVC, from the Ministry of Health and Social Services in 2001, lacked the capacity to maintain an updated register of OVC, the assessment found. The Emergency Management Unit (EMU), situated within the office of the Prime Minister, was also hindered by inadequate capacity and lack of direct control over transport, warehouses and human resources to implement the WFP's food distribution programme for OVC. Since last year WFP has been feeding 113,00 OVC in the four regions of Caprivi, Kavango, Oshikoto and Ohangwena. The programme, hampered by the lack of up-to-date lists of beneficiaries and transport, was delayed by four months and only four of the originally planned six regions were being covered. "Often, legitimate beneficiaries show up at the distribution points but do not find their names on the form, even though some of them have been registered with MWACW," said Verduijn. Most of the beneficiaries applied for assistance a year or two ago but, because of the delay, some of them were now aged between 16 and 17 and no longer qualified. This had created more problems for WFP and Africare, its implementing partner, in managing the general food distribution process, especially as they were not allowed to include new beneficiaries, she noted. The systematic registration of OVC by MWACW should become a priority, recommended Verduijn. Additional questions providing socioeconomic information, such as access to healthcare, protection and education should be added to registrations forms, to provide an improved understanding of the magnitude and depth of problems faced by OVC households. Attempts to fill vacant posts and provide staff with facilities, such as transport and expertise, should also be considered a priority, while the WFP should also consider providing the EMU with technical assistance. The newly created MWACW provides social assistance grants to 25,000 OVC, and more than 11,000 families taking care of OVCs. The authorities are expected to reach out to another 25,000 OVC this year. During school terms, the Ministry of Basic Education, Sports and Culture currently provides meals five times a week to over 100,000 primary school pupils through the National School Feeding Programme. The report is available at: www.sarpn.org.za