Windhoek: The Keetmanshoop municipality handed over food parcels to the elderly at the Southern town on Friday. The initiative forms part of the municipality's annual support programme, which aims to alleviate household food insecurity among senior citizens.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Keetmanshoop Mayor Melody Swartbooi emphasized that the purpose of the programme is to give back to the elderly as a small token of appreciation. "This programme is not to say just take and go on with your life, but it is to show genuine support to the senior citizens," Swartbooi stated.

The programme targets strictly qualifying elders, particularly those registered with the municipality from 2024 to date, to ensure that the contributions reach those mostly in need. Swartbooi noted that the number of identified beneficiaries currently stands between 1700 to 1800 elderly residents, all of whom will be catered for in two phases, with the second phase scheduled for Monday.

"The number of beneficiaries is quite large, and we have identified around 1700 to 1800 elderly residents, and that is why the distribution is handled into two phases with reasonable numbers to guarantee justness and dignity for the intended recipients," Swartbooi explained.

Each parcel contained a packet of 500 grams of sugar, tea bags, and a 750 ml bottle of cooking oil among other food items.