A two-year emergency food support programme targeting over three thousand households has been launched at Farm Ondera in the Guinas Constituency, Oshikoto region.

Launching the programme on behalf of Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi says the programme is in partnership with Chevron and Palms of Life Fund Namibia.

Governor Kathindi said the partnership is aimed at addressing acute food insecurity amongst vulnerable communities at the resettlement farm.

"This initiative reflects collective efforts of social responsibility to address one of the most pressing challenges facing many of our communities, which is food insecurity, specifically within indigenous minority communities. The government remains steadfast in its commitment to reducing malnutrition and strengthening resilience among vulnerable communities as a national priority. "

The programme is further leveraging the feeding infrastructures of early childhood development centres built by the Palms of Life Fund in collaboration with the government.

"Through shared household consumption it is projected to reach approximately 15,750 people annually. These represent children whose concentration in schools is expected to improve; this represents mothers whose health will be strengthened. This represents communities whose resilience will grow."

Palms of Life Fund National Coordinator Kingston Makoni says the organisation will continue serving marginalised communities in areas of education, food security and access to essential needs.

"We should address the issue of malnutrition in the San communities. And this programme is designed to offer immediate relief, particularly to focus on the most at-risk households, and it is our shared duty and responsibility as Palms for Life, as government, as partners like Chevron, to ensure that these people or households are not overlooked."

CHEVRON Country Manager Beatrice Bienvenu says they will always strive to create strong private-public partnerships for lasting impact.

"Well, much of my day-to-day work focuses on ensuring that Chevron partners effectively with the government to advance the oil and gas sector for the benefit of all Namibians. It is initiatives like this that remind me why our work matters so deeply. Here at Farm Ondera, through this initiative, children and families at early childhood development centres receive nutritious meals every day. Supporting that journey is one of the most meaningful aspects of my role."

In addition to food support in the area, household gardening and parental training initiatives will be incorporated in the programme.