South Korea donates N$60m rice to support 300 000 Namibians
The government of South Korea has donated 4 896 metric tonnes of rice worth approximately N$60 million to the government of Namibia, with an estimated 300 000 Namibians expected to benefit from the food assistance.
The donation was officially handed over through the Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) and will be distributed to vulnerable households across all 14 regions of the country.
“The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) is very honoured and proud to be associated with this event that marks a significant milestone in contributing to the livelihoods of the Namibian people” UNWFP Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Eric Perdison added.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare expressed gratitude to the Korean government, describing the donation as a demonstration of genuine friendship during challenging times.
“A friendship is not only in times of good but also in times of darkness, and we are very appreciative of this donation,” Ngurare said.
Officials from Korea said the assistance forms part of the country’s commitment to supporting global food security through humanitarian partnerships. The rice donation is being delivered through the World Food Programme, which will assist in coordinating distribution efforts to communities most in need.
The Korean government noted that the assistance reflects the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations. As Namibia prepares to mark its 36th year of independence, the milestone will also coincide with 36 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Korea was among the first 26 countries to establish diplomatic relations with Namibia following independence.
According to Korean officials, the partnership between the two nations has included previous humanitarian support. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Korea provided Namibia with US$400,000 worth of testing kits and 50,000 protective face masks. In 2024, when Namibia faced severe drought conditions, Korea also contributed US$500,000 in humanitarian assistance, benefiting around 25,000 drought-affected individuals through WFP programmes.
“This is far more than just a transfer of resources. It is a symbol of Korea’s unwavering commitment to stand with Namibia in times of unpredictable challenges,” Korean representatives said during the ceremony.
Ngurare also used the occasion to highlight government initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic food production and reducing reliance on food imports and emergency aid. He said the government has begun rolling out small-scale irrigation schemes designed to improve food security at household, village, constituency and regional levels.
As part of a pilot project launched in the Omaheke Region, about 92 unemployed young people were recruited to “debush” land that was allocated by traditional authorities and prepare it for irrigation farming, allowing them to earn an income while helping establish food production sites.
The initiative is being implemented through the Office of the Prime Minister’s special projects programme with technical support from the World Food Programme and in collaboration with traditional authorities who have availed land for the projects.
Following the clearing of land, boreholes were drilled and irrigation infrastructure installed, with the first harvest expected in the near future.
Ngurare said similar teams have also been deployed to other regions including Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati and /Kharas as the government seeks to expand community-based food production. He added that the programme is aimed particularly at supporting marginalised communities by enabling them to produce food locally rather than relying entirely on relief assistance.
Ngurare also appealed to Korea to consider supporting Namibia’s long-term agricultural ambitions, expressing hope that one day the country could begin producing its own rice domestically with international technical cooperation.
The rice donation, he said, will provide immediate relief while the government continues working toward sustainable food security solutions for the country.
