More than five families in Oshakati, among the drought-stricken areas suffering from economic challenges due to COVID-19, on Tuesday, received food assistance from the United States government.
The food aid, funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), comes in the form of vouchers that the families can redeem for nutritious food items at specific retail shops.
According to a statement from the U.S embassy on Wednesday, the food is primarily going to households with children affected by HIV as well as people at risk of contracting HIV in the 10 regions of Karas, Erongo, Otjikoto, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Oshana, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi, as well as Kavango East and West regions.
The food voucher project is being implemented by local development partners Project HOPE and IntraHealth Namibia with technical support of the World Food Programme. The project started in February with more than N. dollars 6 million earmarked for more than 10 000 Namibians. It will end mid-July this year.
The statement further said that the Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy Jessica Long also met with families in the Oshana region who used their food vouchers to purchase maize meal, beans, and vegetable oil.
“Their spirit and determination are inspiring, despite the difficulties, they have to endure fighting several emergencies simultaneously such as drought, food shortages, COVID-19,” said Long.
Long further added that orphans and vulnerable children, young women living with HIV, and marginalized communities were hit even harder than others, saying the United States government stands with the Namibian people in time of need. ‘We are committed to working together to ease the impact of hunger and help families get through this crisis,” she added.
She said the usage of food vouchers can support local retailers and give families a wider range of choices to purchase what they need most to meet their urgent nutritional requirements.
‘Using vouchers will also cut down on expensive transport costs, meaning more funds for food go directly to families in need,’ she added.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
