Why?
To help counter the negative effects of drought, such as hunger and disease, the Red Cross provided solutions to the affected communities in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods and water, sanitation, and hygiene. In these multilateral, international efforts, the Netherlands provided monetary assistance. Throughout 2012 and 2013, very little rain fell in Namibia, causing the government in May 2013 to declare a state of emergency. 331,000 people in rural communities were food insecure due to drought, totalling 14% of the country’s population. Thirty per cent of people subsisted on only one meal per day. Water access, availability, and utilisation became scarce. The project was based in the five regions that were heavily affected by drought: Kunene, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kavango East and Kavango West.
What?
Since many were left without secure food sources, 11 soup kitchens, food rations, and money were given to affected communities to cover basic food needs. Additionally, agricultural support was given to farmers, which included training in topics such as climate change and dry crop production, and seeds were distributed along with tools. To ensure clean access to safe drinking water, water infrastructures were improved, volunteers were trained in sanitation and hygiene, and water sanitation items were distributed.
Who?
Overall, the project reached 156,075 people (31,215 households).