President declares drought an emergency

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob officially declared a state of emergency as of yesterday due to the ongoing drought, while government has set aside N$90 million for the period April to July this year.

This is the second time in three years the government has declared a state of emergency. In 2013, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba declared an emergency saying more than 4 000 animals had died and about 300 000 people were affected by the drought.

In his declaration, Geingob said what Namibia is experiencing is a national disaster, and as per the Namibian Constitution, he declared it as such. The declaration, dated 24 June 2016, was forwarded to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila's office, who notified the Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi, on Tuesday this week.