Canada provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by drought in Namibia

OTTAWA, Canada, July 11, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Canada is providing immediate assistance to approximately 55,000 people in Namibia as drought conditions intensify, announced the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Development. Canada will help to provide the most vulnerable with cooked meals, as well as water, sanitation services, seeds, and tools.

“Our international assistance is rooted in the Canadian values of compassion, generosity, and the desire to help those in need,” said Minister Fantino. “Canada will continue to monitor the situation to make sure that those affected in Namibia have the support they need.”

Thousands of Namibians will face a food shortage this year due to a significantly below average harvest caused by drought. The lack of rainfall has also caused boreholes to dry up, forcing people to resort to drinking from unsafe water sources, which increases the risk of the spread of water-borne diseases. The effects of the drought are being particularly hard felt in the northern regions of the country — Kavango, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kunene — which are more dependent on agriculture.

Canada’s assistance has been provided through the Canadian Red Cross Society. For more details on this emergency operation supported by Canada, refer to Emergency Appeal — Namibia: Drought.

Economic Action Plan 2013 reaffirms Canada’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, such as this support for the people of Namibia. The new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development will maintain its mandate of poverty alleviation and the ability to respond to humanitarian crises.