In a continued show of solidarity with the Namibian people, the European Union has made a humanitarian contribution of €911,000 (approximately N$19 million) to UNICEF to support Namibia’s response to the effects of El Niño and La Niña. UNICEF has allocated an amount of €228,000 (approximately N$5 million) from own resources. The announcement was made during a formal handover ceremony held on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 in the presence of the Prime Minister Elijah Tjitunga Ngurare.

This assistance is intended to enable the Government of Namibia and UNICEF to scale up the delivery of life-saving assistance to communities most severely affected by the effects of the persistent drought.

The new contribution to UNICEF will target 86,000 Namibians in key affected areas including Katima Mulilo (Zambezi), Andara, Nyangana and Rundu (Kavango East), Nkurekuru and Nankundu (Kavango West), Okongo, Eenhana and Engela (Ohangwena), as well as Khorixas, Outjo and Opuwo (Kunene).

The EU funding from its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Agency (ECHO), will be implemented by UNICEF in close coordination with Namibian authorities. It aims to enhance access to lifesaving health, nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), child protection services and disaster preparedness mechanisms. It will also support the prepositioning of essential supplies and strengthen community-based protection systems.

Speaking during the ceremony Mr. Samuel Ocran, UNICEF Country Representative, expressed gratitude to the EU and Japan for their timely support. “This generous contribution from the European Union is crucial. It will enable us to reach more children with the immediate, life-saving nutritional needs of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition, and ensuring continuous access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in health care facilities of the country especially in hard-to-reach areas,” said Ocran.

On her part, EU Ambassador to Namibia, H.E. Ms. Ana Beatriz Martins, reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to Namibia by saying: “Over the past 35 years of relations, the EU – Namibia Partnership has evolved into a partnership of equals, spanning across a wide range of topics. We collaborate on Namibia’s green industrialisation, on quality delivery of Early Childhood Education, on Good Governance and more. Namibia can also count on the EU in times of drought and hardship.”

This intervention reflects the European Union’s broader strategy to address the growing humanitarian impacts of climate change, food insecurity, and public health crises across Southern Africa. By reinforcing national and community resilience, the EU remains committed to supporting Namibia’s efforts to protect its most vulnerable populations.