Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has warned that Namibia’s economy and infrastructure remain vulnerable to disasters such as droughts, wildfires and urban fires, which continue to cause major losses.
He said weak local preparedness and limited risk-based planning often lead to preventable damage, adding that stronger national coordination and investment in resilience infrastructure are crucial to reducing long-term costs.
Speaking at the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Windhoek, held under the theme “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” Ngurare said development planning must be guided by real data on hazards and vulnerabilities as outlined in the National Risk Profile.
“With a clear comprehension of the hazards and vulnerabilities in sectors, towns and villages, we should be able to prioritise risks, easily identify hotspots, and properly guide investments where they are needed most. This should be the foundation for risk-informed planning and implementation across all sectors to mitigate disaster impacts,” he said.
Ngurare said the National Risk Profile provides key insights into the risks faced by different sectors, regions and communities, enabling both government and private investors to make informed decisions on where to direct resources.
He said the government is finalising the operationalisation of the National Emergency Operations Centre, which will coordinate early warning systems, risk monitoring and disaster response.
“The centre will provide a coordinated platform for anticipating risks, monitoring hazards, and translating systematic data into timely, actionable information for communities at risk and decision-makers,” Ngurare said.
He warned that disasters are not only humanitarian challenges but also major economic risks that can delay national development goals. To address this, he called on all Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs), as well as regional and local authorities, to integrate disaster risk reduction into their annual budgets and plans.
“I therefore call upon all sectors, Offices, Ministries and Agencies, Regional Councils, and Local Authorities to mainstream disaster risk reduction into their annual plans and allocate appropriate budgetary provisions to strengthen resilience across all spheres of our economy,” he said.
Ngurare announced the reintroduction of the Food-and-Cash-for-Work Programme, which will link emergency relief to productive community projects such as land rehabilitation, rural road maintenance and water harvesting.
“The Food-and-Cash-for-Work Programmes not only provide immediate relief by ensuring access to food and income, but they will empower households to withstand and recover from future crises,” he said.
Ngurare emphasised that disaster preparedness must be viewed as a strategic investment in national development rather than a reactive response to crises.
