Various members of parliament stressed the importance of continuing the drought relief programme as some parts of the country remain food insecure.

This was the discussion that ensued after Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced the end of the current drought relief programme.

Popular Democratic Movement MP Inna Hengari highlighted the need for the programme to continue, particularly for the sake of vulnerable populations.

"I wanted to find out, Honourable Prime Minister, whether there will be a continuation. I want to know if the project will continue in its minimal form, or if we've already completed it and declared the end of poverty. I know, for example, in Omaheke, which is a region that is prone to malnutrition. Can we identify those regions and say, Because this region is prone to malnutrition, we have identified it as a priority area where we can still continue to implement this very important programme?"

 Landless People's Movement MP Utaara Mootu questioned the Prime Minister regarding the factors considered prior to the initiative's halting.

"What economic modelling was used to determine the conditions to no longer justify continuous state intervention? Can we have the figures for drought relief? And again, what state was this modelling then, according to regional disparities? What are the figures that justified your conclusion about the programme?"

In response, Dr. Ngurare said, "The drought relief programme is administered by legislation. And that legislation does not end with this emergency period, which was there. So there is a fund again established under that legislation. And by extension, the line ministry with specific responsibility, which through the OPM expedites implementation, as it were, if you look at it."

Ngurare also highlighted the government's continued support to ensure that no one dies from hunger or malnutrition.

Additionally, the Deputy Minister of Industrialisation, Mines, and Energy, Gaudentia Kröhne, proposed that drought relief beneficiaries be included in the basic income grant.

"Is there a possibility, maybe during the midterm review, to add them to that programme because many of these people are depending on that drought relief food? Because if you visit the rural areas, you will really see 13, 20, or up to 30 people staying in one household, only depending on that drought relief food."