British High Commissioner assesses drought in Namibia
The Namibian President declared a national emergency in response to the worsening drought situation. The UK assesses the situation.
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba declared a national emergency on 17 May in response to the country鈥檚 failed rains and worsening drought situation. An estimated 330,000 people have now been classified as food insecure 鈥� 14 % of Namibia鈥檚 total population of 2.3m, with an additional 447,577 classified as moderately food insecure. The drought hit especially hard in Namibia鈥檚 north west Kunene Region, which had suffered two years of lack of rain. Some areas have already seen increased admissions for cases of paediatric malnutrition and a total of 46 malnutrition-related deaths had been recorded by July this year.
British High Commissioner to Namibia, Mrs. Marianne Young, assesses the situation and shares her observations with the public in her blog. Read her blog titled 鈥淰isiting drought stricken areas in northern Namibia鈥� .