Drought crisis in Namibia

Reference

• The Namibian government has approved the killing of more than 700 wild animals, including elephants and hippos, in various parks to provide food (meat) to hungry people in the country.
  • These parks include Namib-Naukluft National Park, Mangeti National Park, Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park and Nakasa Rupara National Park.
• Namibia has a significant number of wildlife, including 24,000 elephants, one of the largest populations in the world. This arid southern African region is facing the worst drought in 100 years.
• According to the United Nations, about 84% of the country's food reserves have been depleted as a result of the drought and about half of the 2.5 million population may face high levels of food insecurity between July 2024 and September 2024.

Reason for drought

• Climate change: Increase in temperature and changing weather patterns have led to a decrease in rainfall.
  • According to scientists, the rainy season here normally peaks in February but the region received less than 20% of the required rainfall.
• El Niño weather phenomenon: This phenomenon usually increases global temperatures. Currently, it is leading to worse than normal drought conditions in combination with human-induced climate change.
  • The El Niño of the year 2023-2024 is considered to be the fourth most powerful El Niño-Southern Oscillation event in recorded history, resulting in widespread drought, floods and other natural disasters around the world.
  • In fact, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia have recently declared drought emergencies.
• Natural variability: Namibia's arid to semi-arid climate means that drought is a natural part of its climate variability. However, climate change has increased their intensity.

Effects of drought

• Water shortages: Depletion of water resources affects drinking water supplies and agricultural irrigation.
  • For example, levels in reservoirs such as the Zambezi River have fallen, affecting water availability for both human use and agriculture.
• Agricultural losses: Namibia relies on agriculture and livestock, which require adequate rainfall.
• Drought emergencies have been declared three times between 2013 and 2019, affecting food production.
• Economic stress: The national economy is affected by increased costs of water, food and energy and reduced agricultural productivity.
  • Drought has increased the cost of food imports and reduced farmers’ incomes, putting pressure on the national budget.
• Human health: Inadequate water supply increases the risk of diseases related to malnutrition, dehydration and lack of sanitation. This is leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera.
  • According to the United Nations (UN), the current drought is responsible for an increase in cases of acute malnutrition and, in some cases, deaths among children under five years of age.
• Violence against women and girls: According to the UN, many women and girls usually have to travel long distances to fetch water for their families, which increases the risk of violence against them.
• Pressure on ecosystems: Droughts affect local wildlife and plant life, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.
  • According to Namibia’s environment ministry, drier than usual conditions are leading to an increase in human-wildlife conflict as humans and animals compete for water and land resources.

Suggestions to tackle drought situation

• Emphasis on climate adaptation: Adaptation strategies should be developed and implemented to reduce the effects of climate change.
  • For this, investments can be made in research and technology for climate-resilient crops and water-harvesting techniques.
• Promoting water management: Infrastructure for water storage and distribution needs to be improved and sustainable water use practices should be promoted.
  • For this, expansion of reservoir construction and investment in water recycling and desalination technologies can be encouraged.
• Promoting sustainable agriculture: Practices that enhance soil health and increase drought resilience in agricultural systems should be supported.
  • For this, adoption of conservation tillage, agroforestry and drought-resistant crop varieties can be encouraged.
• Public awareness: Communities need to be educated about water conservation, drought preparedness and climate change adaptation.
  • For this, awareness campaigns and training programs can be conducted for local communities and stakeholders.
• Importance of regional cooperation: Collaboration should be done with neighbouring countries and regional organizations to share resources, knowledge and strategies for drought management.

About Namibia

• Location: Country on the southwest coast of Africa
  • Bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the southeast and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
• Topographical Regions: Divided into three main topographical regions from west to east- coastal Namib Desert, central plateau and Kalahari.
• Rivers: Kunene (Kunene), Okavango (Cubango), Mashi (Kwando) and Zambezi on the northern border and Orange on the southern border.

Other Facts

• About 85% of Namibians are black, 5% are of European descent, and 10% are other people.
• The national language is English. However, it is the mother tongue of only 3% of the population.
• About 80 to 90% of the country's population practices Christianity.