Windhoek:The Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Support Fund has successfully raised approximately N$16.2 million in donations and pledges from various stakeholders, including corporations, agricultural unions, private entities, and individual donors. This financial support aims to bolster efforts to manage the FMD outbreak and safeguard Namibia's livestock sector.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the fund was established through a collaboration among the Namibia Agricultural Union, Namibia National Farmers Union, Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union, and the Previously Disadvantaged Namibian Farmers Union. These groups partnered with the Directorate of Veterinary Services and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, with a goal to raise a total of N$50 million.

Prominent contributors to the fund include Bank Windhoek and FNB Namibia, each pledging N$1.5 million, while B2Gold Namibia added N$1.6 million. Agra committed N$1.55 million, and both Namib Mills and FeedMaster pledged N$1.5 million each. The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry contributed N$1.5 million, including N$100,000 designated for small meat traders affected by containment measures. Further support came from entities such as Reho Group, Woermann Brock, Devine Deli, AgriBank, the Namibia Professional Hunting Association, Cymot, Agrimark, and individual donors.

Inge Zaamwani, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, made the announcement during a ceremony in Windhoek, highlighting the importance of these contributions in protecting animal health, livelihoods, and food security. She emphasized the collective national responsibility to safeguard the livestock sub-sector and noted that the generous donations reflect confidence in the nation's disease control strategies.

B2Gold Managing Director John Roos expressed the company's commitment to supporting national crises despite its primary focus on mining. He highlighted the importance of contributing to the solution, even if not in massive monetary amounts, to assist in addressing the challenges faced by local farmers.

Medmillian Handura, Treasurer of the FMD Support Fund, assured that fund expenditures will be subjected to strict governance and independent oversight, ensuring transparency and accountability. She acknowledged the widespread understanding of the importance of protecting Namibia's livestock sector, with some of the support already deployed in the field.