Between July and September 2024, an estimated 1.4 million people (48 percent of the analysed population) are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), including 85,000 people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). This number has more than doubled from the same period last year when 579,000 people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity. 

The entire country (all 14 regions) is classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and needs action for livelihood protection. Namibia’s deteriorating food security is mainly driven by the impact of El Nino on crop and livestock production, climatic shocks, price shocks, economic decline and unemployment.

Based on the findings of this update, the following recommendations are made for possible interventions and future assistance, while waiting for the outcomes of 2024/25 VAA to be done in June-August to determine the actual state of food security in the country.

• Provide humanitarian assistance for the entire country as the entire country will face high levels of acute food insecurity.
• The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) to preposition staples for the National Strategic Grain Reserves for drought relief.
• The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) to facilitate Agriculture Extension staff to enhance awareness creation on Government initiatives regarding drought within the regions.
• The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) to review the current arrangement for accessing fodder by small farmers to ensure fair prices and accessibility for all.
• The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) to prepare water harvesting strategies- more dams and tanks for water harvesting given the anticipated La Nina during the next rain season.
• Households to consider water usage for crop production direct from the rivers and canals by MAWRL.