Deputy Prime Minister Mutorwa Calls for Integrity in Drought Relief Distribution in Namibia

OMUTHIYA, Namibia — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has called on individuals involved in distributing drought relief food to act fairly and make decisions correctly. This appeal came during a consultative meeting on Friday with regional councillors, the directorate of disaster risk management staff, and other stakeholders in Omuthiya, the regional capital of Oshikoto.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Mutorwa highlighted ongoing issues of corruption that undermine the distribution of drought relief food in various regions, though he noted that such issues were not present in the Oshikoto Region itself. He detailed a specific incident reported in Eenhana, where there was a theft of drought relief food in the Ohangwena Region. Mutorwa emphasized the necessity for those involved in the administration and management of the government’s disaster risk management activities to adhere to democratic principles and face appropriate consequences for any misconduct.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that drought relief food reaches the intended beneficiaries, who rely on this aid for their survival, especially as they face severe hardships due to drought. Samuel Shivute, chairperson of the Oshikoto Regional Council, also spoke at the meeting about the acute hunger in the region exacerbated by poor rainfall this year, along with logistical challenges such as transportation and warehouse shortages that complicate the delivery of food assistance.