The Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) estimates that approximately 659,000 Namibians, making up 26% of the population, are facing high levels of acute food insecurity due to price shocks, drought and COVID-19 restrictive measures.
The IPC estimates that the figure could increase from 659,000 to 750,000 Namibians by next March who are requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.
“Food and non-food prices have increased twice this year between April and September 2021. Namib Mills increased its food prices by 2-6%. These price increments are being triggered by global price increments in fuel products. As a result, people’s purchasing power has been reduced. The situation is worse for people that lost their jobs and incomes following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis Namibia Report for October 2021 – March 2022 notes.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed greatly to the current situation, with restrictive measures resulting in disruptions in food and non-food supply chains. This in turn has led to an increase in food prices, high rates of unemployment, and loss of income for most businesses, including the tourism sector, due to business closures, and deaths of breadwinners.”
Apart from the drought, the IPC expects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue having negative effects on the economy.
“This may include impacts such as reduced job opportunities, loss of income, and lost livelihoods where low resilience households have no alternative options. Other factors that could affect food security include high commodity prices and poor performance of the season for livestock farmers, if outbreaks of water-borne animal diseases are to be experienced.”
“In the projected period, most of the regions which are non-agricultural will have fewer employment opportunities due to the COVID-19 containment measures. This will imply loss of incomes due to layoffs and unavailability of casual labour farm jobs. It will take time for the economy to return to normal due to the impact of COVID-19 as well as the high prices driven by the increasing fuel prices.”
