EU, Unicef provide N$24 million in aid to Namibia
Namibia has received a much-needed boost in mitigating the effects of the drought, thanks to N$24 million in support from the European Union (EU) and UNICEF. The EU is chipping in around N$19 million, while UNICEF is adding roughly N$5 million from its own funds.The announcement was made earlier this week during a handover attended by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.
The funding will help expand critical support to communities hardest hit by the drought, with around 86,000 people in Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena and Kunene set to benefit.
The EU’s contribution comes via its humanitarian arm, ECHO (the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations), and will be rolled out by UNICEF in close collaboration with the Namibian government.
The support package will focus on improving access to basic services such as healthcare, nutrition, clean water, sanitation and hygiene. It will also help with child protection, disaster readiness, and pre-positioning essential supplies in vulnerable areas.
UNICEF’s Country Representative, Samuel Ocran, expressed gratitude for the EU’s fast response. “This generous support allows us to reach more children with vital nutrition and give remote health facilities the water and hygiene resources they need,” he said.
EU Ambassador Ana Beatriz Martins echoed the importance of strong partnerships. “We’ve been working side by side with Namibia for more than 35 years, from promoting green industries to supporting early education and good governance. And when times are tough, like now, Namibia knows it can count on the EU.”
This latest funding forms part of the EU’s wider efforts to address the growing humanitarian challenges linked to climate change, food shortages and health crises in Southern Africa, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable and building long-term resilience.