Namibia Faces Food, Water Shortages Due to Drought, Low Stockpiles

News in Brief: ***- Namibia faces food and water shortages due to last year's drought and depleted reserves. Despite recent rains, dam levels remain low and 22% of the population grapples with food insecurity.

• The government plans additional imports to address food shortfalls and manage the water crisis.*** Namibia is grappling with food and water shortages following last year's insufficient rainfall and depleted national reserves, a news report says. The news outlet quotes the country’s Agricultural Inputs and Household Food Security report which was recently released. It claims that the country’s 4000 tonnes of National Strategic Food Reserves have run out of both white maize and pearl millet. A total of 150,700 metric tonnes (MT) consisting of 90,200 MT of wheat, 60,100 metric tonnes of maize and 0.359 MT of millet/sorghum, were imported. Also, wheat imports are in a surplus of 40,140 MT. However, there is still a deficit of 10,400 metric tonnes and 58,200 MT for maize and pearl millet/sorghum. The government exprts to cover this shortfall through additional commercial imports during the current marketing season. In addition, the report noted that the situation has worsened food insecurity in the country, with domestic cereal production falling short and requiring imports to cover 52% of cereal needs. Transportation challenges have also compounded the ease of access of grains for the country’s farmers. Furthermore, it specifies that exactly 579,000 Namibian, which is 22% of the population face acute food insecurity. Despite recent rains, dam levels remain low, averaging 57.4% compared to 70.6% last year. Also, only two dams have significant water levels, while several others are below 20% capacity.