Namibia — humanitarian situation

Namibia continues to face persistent food security challenges linked to multi-shock impacts, rising inflation, and the lingering effects of the 2025 drought emergency. The national drought-response programme concluded earlier in 2026, yet vulnerable households remain under significant strain WFP. As of May 2026, WFP reached 105,813 households with rice distributions totaling 2,326 metric tons, with ongoing distributions in June under the Country Strategic Plan (2025–2029) WFP. In March 2026, WFP provided food and nutrition assistance to 138,013 people, including 11,800 school children WFP. Inflation rose to 4.4 percent in August, marking the highest monthly rate recorded this year, with rising consumer prices expected to severely erode purchasing power among vulnerable and low-income households WFP. Emerging El Niño risks compound existing vulnerabilities, coinciding with rising fuel, transport, and staple food costs that threaten to deepen food insecurity WFP. While much of Southern Africa transitioned from large-scale flood response to recovery during the second quarter of 2026 following La Niña-related heavy rains that affected over 2.6 million people across the region in early 2026, Namibia's primary concerns center on chronic food security challenges rather than acute disaster impacts OCHA. The conclusion of the national drought-response programme has left gaps in coverage at a time when economic pressures intensify household needs WFP. WFP urgently requires additional funding to sustain programming focused on emergency preparedness, social protection, and food-systems resilience WFP. In July 2026, Brazil contributed USD 120,000 to support WFP efforts aimed at improving food security and production, strengthening livelihoods, improving nutrition, and building resilient food systems, with this funding expected to benefit more than 1,000 people as part of a partnership established in 2019 WFP. Continued support remains critical to address the compounding impacts of climate shocks and economic pressures on vulnerable populations across Namibia.