Photo: Florian Lems/MSF-AUSTRIA

Women watch as their children are being weighed at MSF's Ambulant Therapeutic Feeding Center in Chad.

Windhoek — President Hifikepunye Pohamba has directed that immediate steps be taken to address any cases of malnutrition in the country. The Head of State has called on all governors in the regions to treat this as a matter of priority to prevent loss of lives.

"It is a source of great concern that instances of malnutrition have been reported in some parts of the country. This is a very disturbing situation. I direct that immediate steps be taken to address these concerns as a matter of priority, so that we can prevent loss of lives," he said to Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob, the Deputy Prime Minister Marco Hausiku, Cabinet ministers, regional governors and chief regional officers at State House yesterday.

Pohamba called for proper coordination saying governors and councillors must work with community leaders such as traditional leaders, church leaders, school principals, heads of health facilities, law enforcement agencies and members of the community. "Let us mobilise the entire nation to join hands to ensure that we prevent suffering and loss of life due to effects of the drought," he added.

Official figures have shown that 38 Namibians died of hunger in the first five months of this year. The level of malnutrition in the country is bothersome, with deaths recorded in various regions. Children are the most affected by malnutrition.

The Namibia Red Cross Society last week said there are about 109 000 rural children under the age of five at risk of malnutrition because of an absence of food and poor sanitation.

Pohamba said that the impact of natural disasters was being felt by thousands of people around the country and many households that depend on crop farming do not have adequate food as a result of poor harvests.

The president reiterated that those in leadership positions must provide information to the relevant authorities "so that we can ensure that all our people who are in need of food are assisted in a timeous manner in order to avoid suffering and loss of life." He said the leaders, in their respective capacities, can provide valuable information with respect to the needs of the communities in which they operate.

He said that the prime minister met with regional governors and other government officials following the emergency declaration in May to map out government's response to the emergency situation.

"I wish to underline the point that everything must be done to ensure that none of the foodstuffs that have been procured for this purpose goes to waste," he said, adding that given the magnitude of the challenges faced, any waste of food and other resources would be inexcusable.

Pohamba further said that relevant government offices, ministries and agencies as well as regional and local authorities must ensure that drought relief reach households which have been identified to benefit from the efforts.

Pohamba commended local government organisations that have been involved in mobilising resources and assisting vulnerable communities around the country.

"I also commend the involvement of the local private sector companies that have contributed in one way or another to the ongoing drought aid efforts," he said.