FAO Namibia and WFP Namibia country heads embark on joint mission to three regions in Namibia
In a bid to take stock of the current food security situation in Namibia, heads of the two United Nations (UN) sister agencies represented in Namibia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in early March 2021 embarked on a joint mission to three regions in Namibia.
Ms. Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Representative in Namibia, and Mr. George Fedha, WFP Country Director in Namibia, led the joint mission to Kunene, Ohangwena and Otjozondjupa regions where they met with different role players at regional level such as the regional governors, councillors and farmers.
The two agencies primarily undertook the joint mission to seek ways to build on each other’s efforts and ensure better coordination in rendering support to farmers in the three regions as a way to ensure that there is greater impact through joint efforts between the agencies.
On her part, the FAO Representative in Namibia highlighted that FAO has provided support on strengthening capacity for climate smart agriculture through extension staff and farmer training across the three regions.
Zimudzi also noted that FAO has provided support in response to the drought situation in the country, with Kunene, Erongo and Ohangwena regions recipients of hydroponic fodder production structures which are meant to assist drought-hit farmers to produce fodder for their livestock. The same project also availed veterinary support to save core livestock in those three regions.
FAO has also rehabilitated and modernized numerous traditional wells and other water infrastructure along livestock migration routes in Kunene (and Erongo and Omusati) to ensure that animals, and their herders, are not only assured of water supply, but also safety.
Meanwhile, WFP Namibia’s Country Director explained that WFP is working closely with government both at the national and regional level to ensure food security in the three regions, including having complemented Government’s drought response through the provision of an assortment of food items to Kunene region.
Fedha also continued to state that WFP is planning to collaborate with Government and various stakeholders in the Kunene and Ohangwena regions to provide food vouchers to the vulnerable households to ensure that their basic needs, including food and nutrition, are met.
The two UN sister agencies, FAO and WFP, share a common vision of promoting sustainable food systems and food security in member countries across the world.
Relevant links:
- Partnering to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security