Namibia declares drought a national disaster

Namibia last week declared drought a national disaster after poor rainfall wreaked havoc on crops and scorched grazing fields. According to an SABC News report, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made the announcement a day after the southern African nation launched an urgent appeal for international aid. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila told Parliament it was clear that the ‘livelihoods of the majority of Namibians, especially those that depend on agricultural activities is threatened’. ‘Most regions are experiencing water shortage, as most of the rain-fed catchments are either dry or have little water,’ she said. Namibia, a country of 2.4m people, has since 2015 experienced numerous dry spells. ‘It’s a call for any institution or person to complement government efforts to assist and fight the effects of drought,’ Information Minister Stanley Simataa said, speaking about the government’s aid appeal.

Full SABC News report