Salaam Foundation | Image: namibian.com.na
The Namibian government has declared a national state of emergency as a massive drought hits the country.
At least 500 000 people are said to be affected in a country that has a population of just 2,5 million.
A statement from the presidency said: “The State of Emergency exists on account of the natural disaster of drought in all regions of the Republic of Namibia.”
Declaration of a National Drought Emergency pic.twitter.com/MvtqyX6PwO
— Presidency | Republic of Namibia (@NamPresidency) May 6, 2019
“Offices, Ministries and Agencies and all other stakeholders will be mobilized to ensure that the necessary assistance is rolled out to affected communities,” the statement added.
At least 10 000 water tankers will be distributed to household and the government has a plan to rehabilitate and restore boreholes in all regions.
The BBC quoted Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila appealing for international help.
“We… call on all Namibians and development partners to assist in any way possible, so that we provide to our people who are affected, as well as the livestock,” she said in the national assembly.
At least 60,000 domestic animals have died in the past six months.
Those affected are facing severe food shortages following the prolonged drought, the prime ministers’s office, which is coordinating the response, has said.
President Geingob blamed a poor rainy season, which is usually comes between January and March, for being behind the problem.
