WINDHOEK, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Carl Schlettwein emphasized the country's commitment to ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all during a World Food Day event Wednesday.
The event, held in the Gobabis constituency of the Omaheke region, was themed "Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future: Leave No One Behind."
Schlettwein highlighted the nation's struggles with food insecurity, worsened by climate change and economic inequality. "Our country is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and we are naturally prone to droughts. In 2019, the country endured one of the most severe droughts in decades," he said.
He stressed the importance of concerted efforts to combat hunger, particularly in regions like Omaheke, where drought and land degradation have jeopardized agriculture and livelihoods.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification for October 2024 to March 2025 projects a 9 percent increase in the number of people experiencing food insecurity in Namibia, rising from 1.15 million to 1.26 million. It is also estimated that 24 percent of children under five years old will suffer from stunting.
According to Schlettwein, the government's response includes initiatives like the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, focusing on food banks, school feeding programs, and domestic food production.
Schlettwein urged all stakeholders to collaborate in building a sustainable and inclusive food system, ensuring that no Namibian is left behind in the fight against hunger and poverty.
Qingyun Diao, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Namibia, said at the event that access to adequate and nutritious food is a fundamental human right.
"We believe that addressing hunger and malnutrition requires more than just increasing food production. It is about transforming our agrifood systems to be more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable," he noted.
Diao said in partnership with the Namibian government, the FAO is implementing several resilience-building projects aimed at tackling food insecurity and empowering communities.
"In collaboration with partners like the World Food Program, the United Nations Development Program, and the United Nations Children's Fund, we are working to ensure that no one is left behind in this transformation, including smallholder farmers, children, who need a nutritious meal to grow, develop, and learn to reach their full potential, and vulnerable households in rural areas," he said.
Namibia, like many southern African nations this year, is grappling with drought conditions due to insufficient rainfall during the 2023/2024 rainy season. ■
