Latest updates on country situation
09 July 2024
Between July–September 2024, an estimated 1.4 million people (48% of the analysed population) in Namibia are projected to experience high acute food insecurity levels – i.e. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse – including 85,000 facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels. The total is more than double the number in the same period in 2023 (579,000). The entire country, including all 14 regions, is currently classified to be facing IPC 3 levels and requires assistance for livelihood protection, as the majority of people are agropastoralists. The main factors to the deteriorating food security situation are the drought and other impacts of El Niño on crop and livestock production, inflation, the decline in economic growth, and unemployment. On 22 May, the Namibian Government declared a national state of emergency in response to the drought affecting all regions of the country. (IPC 06/09/2023, IPC 08/07/2024, Namibian 27/05/2024)
04 June 2024
On 22 May 2024, the Namibian Government announced a state of emergency in response to the most severe drought the country has seen in a century, which has affected all its 14 regions. Approximately one-fifth of Namibians (an estimated 600,000 out of a total population of three million) are struggling with food insecurity. The affected people urgently require food assistance. (Namibia Economist 28/05/2024, USAID 24/05/2024, WFP 23/05/2024)
12 September 2023
From July–September 2023, Erongo and Khomas are the only two regions in Namibia facing IPC Phase 2 (Stressed) food insecurity; the other 12 are classified as IPC Phase 3 (Emergency). Currently, approximately 579,000 people (22% of the population) are experiencing severe acute food insecurity (IPC 3 or worse). This represents a 59% increase from the previous IPC report covering April–June 2023, indicating that more people urgently require assistance to bridge the food gap and protect their livelihoods. The main factors contributing to the worsening food security situation in Namibia include climatic and price shocks, economic decline, and high unemployment rates. (IPC 06/09/2023, IPC 23/02/2023)
current crises
in
Namibia
These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.
NAM002 - Food Security Crisis
Last updated 13/06/2024
Drivers
Drought
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
2.5 Medium
Access constraints
1.0
REG012 - Southern Africa Regional Food Security Crisis
Last updated 19/06/2024
Drivers
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
3.8 High
Access constraints
3.0