Namibia Roundup: Food security, alarming wildfires, first AfCFTA consignment

India supports Namibia's food security

India's humanitarian outreach to Namibia has taken a significant step with the shipment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice, aimed at bolstering food security amidst the country’s acute food crisis exacerbated by El Niño. The urgency of this mission is emphasised by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report that states approximately 1.4 million Namibians are battling with acute food insecurity, with the situation likely to deteriorate in the forthcoming months, as Asian News International reports.

Celebration of Malaysia Day

 In celebration of Malaysia Day, the High Commission of Malaysia in Namibia marked the 61st anniversary of the event in the Namibian capital of Windhoek, attended by over 120 dignitaries, including government officials and diplomats. The celebration included traditional ceremonies and cultural performances, reinforcing the theme of “Jiwa Merdeka” or Spirit of Independence. Acting High Commissioner Datuk Dr Mohamad Rameez Yahaya highlighted the enduring bilateral relations established since Namibia's independence in 1990 and reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to assisting Namibia in addressing drought challenges through a pledged financial support of NAD710,000 (approximately $40,249.43), Bernama reports.

Over 1,100 wildfires since start of 2024

Namibia has witnessed an alarming surge in wildfires, recording over 1,100 incidents since the start of the year, attributed to ‘high-confidence fire alerts.’ Despite initiatives aimed at community training and fuel load assessments, the lack of a cohesive national approach hampers effective wildfire control. According to The Namibian, a senior station officer from the Windhoek Fire Brigade has identified community attitudes and accessibility issues as major hurdles during fire emergencies, stressing the need for public awareness initiatives and advanced detection technologies to mitigate the risks associated with human-induced wildfires.

Four children trapped in an empty freezer die

Investigations are underway into the death of four Namibian children who were playing in an empty old freezer in the Zambezi Region, in the northeastern part of the country. The children, aged between three and six, were found inside the freezer on September 16. Police believe they were accidentally trapped and suffocated inside the freezer. Two of the children died in the fridge, while two others died in the hospital, local broadcaster NBC reported.

First AfCFTA consignment

Namibia is set to initiate its first trade consignment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in October 2024, as announced by Industrialisation and Trade Minister Lucia Iipumbu. This initiative follows the approval of Namibia’s tariff offer within the Southern African Customs Union framework, The Namibian reports. The AfCFTA is a pivotal endeavour aimed at establishing a unified market for goods and services across Africa by alleviating tariffs on 90% of goods and dismantling non-tariff barriers.