Malnutrition remains a critical issue in the Erongo Region, with Chief Health Programme Officer Tuyenikelao Mwashekele from the Family Health Division at the Erongo Directorate of Health warning that poverty, food insecurity and limited access to nutrition services continue to threaten children’s well-being.

Mwashekele spoke at the Erongo Ordinary Regional Council Meeting in Swakopmund.

More than two-thirds of children in the Erongo Region are experiencing food poverty. The 2024 SMART survey, she said, found that 25.6% of children were living in severe food poverty, while 44.2% experienced moderate food poverty.

The survey also recorded stunting at 26.6% in the region, classified as high by the World Health Organisation.

Health data further show that 939 cases of malnutrition among children under five were recorded in 2024, increasing to 1,126 cases in 2025.

From January to July this year, 418 cases had already been recorded. Swakopmund accounted for the cases in 2024 and 2026, while Usakos is also being highlighted as an area requiring urgent attention despite its smaller population.

Mwashekele said tackling the problem will require more medical intervention. She called for stronger community outreach, more community health workers, improved access to therapeutic nutrition supplies, community gardening and continued nutrition education.

Stakeholders are also being urged to improve access to clean water and sanitation and to create breastfeeding facilities at workplaces.