The Government of Namibia has received a contribution of 4,896 metric tons of rice worth USD 1.7 million from the Republic of Korea through the United Nations World Food Programme’s OnDemand Service. This food assistance is intended to support communities recovering from the severe 2024–2025 drought, one of the worst in Namibia’s history, which affected 1.4 million people across all 14 regions of the country.
The rice is expected to assist around 300,000 people between April and December 2026, providing critical support as many vulnerable households continue to rebuild their livelihoods. Although Namibia has recently seen improved rainfall, many communities are still facing depleted food stocks, rising food prices, loss of livelihoods, and soil degradation. In some areas, flooding has also disrupted planting activities, creating further uncertainty about upcoming harvests.
Officials highlighted the timing of the support as especially important, as many families remain food insecure despite recent weather improvements. Namibia’s Office of the Prime Minister, through its disaster risk management structures, will oversee the nationwide distribution of the rice through Regional Councils to ensure that vulnerable households in all regions benefit from the assistance.
Korea’s contribution also carries symbolic significance, reflecting its evolution from a former recipient of food aid into a major global donor and longstanding partner of the World Food Programme. This donation is part of a broader global contribution of 150,000 metric tons of food from Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which is supporting 17 countries facing food insecurity.
The World Food Programme will continue working with the Government of Namibia to strengthen food security, support recovery from drought, and build resilience to future climate-related shocks. The partnership also aims to enhance Namibia’s capacity to prepare for and respond more effectively to future emergencies, as the country continues to face increasing climate variability ranging from drought to flooding.
