Windhoek: Windhoek Mayor, Ndeshihafela Larandja has said the City of Windhoek remains committed to becoming a disaster-resilient hub through proactive planning, sustainable investment, and collaboration among all stakeholders. Speaking at the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction here on Monday, Larandja said rapid urbanisation, climate change, and the growth of informal settlements have increased Windhoek's exposure to risks such as floods and fires.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Larandja emphasized that the city faces various inherent risks, particularly those driven by climate variability, such as flash floods and droughts. She highlighted the necessity of funding in disaster risk reduction to avoid more expensive disasters in the future and noted that the City of Windhoek has adopted a risk-informed strategy to strengthen urban resilience. In 2023, Windhoek became the first local authority in Namibia to join the Making Cities Resilient 2030 campaign under the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The city's Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (2025-2030) aims to strengthen risk governance, improve early warning systems, and promote sustainable investment through the establishment of a City Disaster Preparedness Fund. Larandja urged the government, the private sector, and international partners to align efforts to truly realise the theme 'Fund Resilience, Not Disasters' by focusing on strategic priorities and ensuring all development is risk-informed.
Meanwhile, Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Benedict Libanda stated that Namibia must act early, decisively, and collaboratively to safeguard communities against the growing threats of climate change. Libanda mentioned that the EIF has mobilised close to N.dollars 6 billion over the past five years for climate resilience and adaptation projects across all regions of Namibia.
Libanda further highlighted that the EIF has financed and rehabilitated more than 200 boreholes in 10 regions, benefiting over 160,000 people by improving access to clean water and supporting drought resilience. An additional N.dollars 1.4 billion in funding is expected to be unlocked by mid-2026, targeting community-led adaptation projects in the Kunene Region and climate-smart farming initiatives in several municipalities, including Windhoek. Libanda stressed that disaster risk reduction cuts across all sectors, urging national and local actors to prioritise prevention rather than reaction.