Namibia Battles Worsening Food Crisis as Drought Pushes Nearly Half the Population into Acute Insecurity

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Nearly 1.4 million Namibians—representing about 45% of the country’s total population—are currently facing severe food insecurity, according to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare. This alarming figure reflects the devastating toll of the El Niño-induced drought that severely disrupted the 2023/2024 agricultural season. The drought has caused significant crop failures and water shortages, affecting all 14 regions of the country.

In a recent address to the National Assembly, Prime Minister Ngurare described the drought as the most severe Namibia has experienced in recent history. He emphasized that the nation is now at a critical juncture, as climate-related disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and intense. These escalating environmental challenges are reshaping the country’s agricultural and economic landscape.

The prolonged dry conditions have not only wiped-out staple food crops but have also led to the degradation of grazing lands and a sharp decline in water availability. This has had a devastating impact on pastoralist communities and livestock-based livelihoods. Government evaluations estimate that over 384,935 households have been directly affected by the drought—an impact that translates into roughly 1.4 million people now living in acute food insecurity.

In response, the Namibian government has launched a comprehensive N$1.3 billion (around US$73.3 million) drought relief programme. The package aims to address the humanitarian emergency through food aid distribution, improved water access, and support for affected farmers. Additional assistance has been pledged by international development partners; however, the rollout of aid has been hampered by logistical delays and systemic inefficiencies, especially in remote and rural areas.

Prime Minister Ngurare acknowledged these challenges, citing weaknesses in the national supply chain and coordination efforts as key obstacles. He called for stronger integration of disaster risk reduction strategies across all levels of government. This, he said, should align with international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which provides guidelines for reducing the risks posed by natural hazards.

Looking forward, the Namibian government plans to implement long-term measures aimed at enhancing the country’s resilience to future climate shocks. These include drilling boreholes to improve groundwater access, constructing earth dams for rainwater collection, and promoting diversified income sources in agriculture and rural entrepreneurship.

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 Namibia, like many nations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), remains highly vulnerable to climate variability due to its predominantly arid and semi-arid environments. The agricultural sector, which employs about 23% of the workforce and contributes 6.6% to the national GDP, is especially at risk from environmental disruptions.

The current crisis in Namibia serves as a stark reminder of the broader regional challenges posed by climate change, including food insecurity and the urgent need for enhanced adaptation strategies. Coordinated action involving national authorities, local communities, and global partners will be vital not only for addressing the immediate crisis but also for building long-term sustainability and resilience.