The World Food Programme (WFP) will commit over N$100 million over the next six months to support food security initiatives in Namibia.
The funding addresses a critical gap, with the WFP’s net funding requirements for July to December 2024 amounting to US$6 million.
In June 2024, WFP assisted a total of 12,442 people, including 10,985 school children through the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme and 1,457 beneficiaries of Integrated Community-based Food Systems Projects.
Meanwhile, in collaboration with the USAID-initiated Farmer-to-Farmer Initiative, WFP facilitated capacity-building sessions in the Omaheke Region to foster sustainable advancements in food security as well as in the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products.
Four US agricultural experts provided training on pest control, farm management and agricultural best practices.
“In June 2024, a team of four experts specialising in agriculture and management visited Namibia and conducted capacity building sessions at WFP and government-supported sites in the Omaheke Region, specifically at the Ben Hur Rapid Rural Transformation Project and the Epako Food Systems Project,” said WFP.
Meanwhile, an independent evaluation of WFP’s environmental policy highlighted its significant impact on environmental management systems and social safeguards in Namibia.
“Best practices were observed in the HGSFP, food systems sites, and the supply chain strategy. The evaluation underscored the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into food security efforts,” reads a country brief.
For the past month, as part of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Project, WFP inspected medical centres in Kavango West and Oshikoto regions for new pharma-grade refrigerated containers and backup generators.
“This initiative is essential for maintaining the cold chain for medical supplies. Recommendations included container installation and training for personnel, ensuring the readiness of these facilities. This effort is part of WFP’s strategy to strengthen national supply chain networks,” said WFP.
This comes as the WFP’s Country Strategic Plan (2017–2024) outlines total requirements of US$51 million, with allocated contributions at US$23.3 million.
Through the 2017-2024 Namibia Country Strategic Plan (CSP), WFP provides food assistance to vulnerable people affected by shock, ensures adequate capacity strengthening to the Government, and facilitates effective policies and best practices.
The addition of strategic outcome four to the current CSP aims to strengthen food systems and increase the production capacity of smallholder farmers.
