Namibian food aid will stretch logistics operators

Hauliers, warehouses and the port of Walvis Bay are going to be stretched to provide food aid to an estimated 780 000 Namibians and up to 1.5m Angolans affected by the worst drought in 30 years. The Government of Namibia is responding to the situation, and has announced an emergency allocation of N$200 million (R200 m). It has started providing food rations through regional councils and is funding the drilling of 40 boreholes. Humanitarian aid agencies have launched appeals to help communities affected by the drought and food crisis. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has also issued an appeal for about US$1.45 million. The budget includes US$15 000 for warehousing, and US$29 000 for transport and vehicle costs. In partnership with the Namibian Red Cross Society, the agencies aim to support about 55 000 people in northern Namibia. The United Nations Children Fund, Unicef wants to raise around US$7.4m to fund drought relief in Namibia for the rest of 2013. Reports from the Angolan government, the United Nations and aid agencies suggest that approximately 1.5 million people in five provinces are food insecure. Unicef has appealed for US$14.3 million to fund its Angola drought response.