Namibia’s suspension of its 2024/25 drought-relief programme has sparked criticism from opposition parties and community leaders, who say the move ignores ongoing hardship in rural areas despite government claims of improved rainfall.

The Namibian government is facing mounting criticism after announcing the suspension of its national drought-relief programme for the 2024/25 season, a decision that opposition parties and local leaders have condemned as premature and lacking in proper planning.

Speaking in parliament, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare stated that the decision was informed by improved rainfall patterns recorded across much of the country. However, critics argue that the move fails to account for the lingering effects of prolonged droughts, particularly in rural and poverty-stricken regions where communities continue to struggle with food insecurity and loss of livestock.

“Many families are still suffering. Improved rainfall does not translate into immediate recovery,” said a regional councillor from Kunene, one of the hardest-hit areas. “The government is abandoning the very people who need its help the most.”

The now-suspended drought-relief programme had supported more than 1.4 million Namibians at its peak, offering essential food parcels and aid to vulnerable communities. It also attracted over N$1 billion in donations and infrastructure support from international partners and humanitarian organisations.

In addition to scrapping the programme, the government has introduced a new voucher-based system intended to replace the food parcel model. However, the rollout has reportedly been chaotic, with beneficiaries and local officials alike expressing confusion over eligibility, distribution methods, and the actual value of the vouchers.

“This transition has not been properly communicated,” said a community leader in the Omaheke region. “People don’t know where to go, what they’re entitled to, or how the system even works.”

While the Prime Minister hinted that a revised relief strategy could be introduced following further assessments, no clear timeline or framework has been provided. The uncertainty has intensified concerns that vulnerable communities may be left without support during a critical period of recovery.

Opposition parties, civil society groups, and regional representatives have accused the Swapo-led government of turning its back on the poor, warning that the decision could worsen social unrest and disenchantment ahead of the upcoming national elections.

“The government’s handling of this issue reveals a deep disconnect between leaders in Windhoek and those on the ground,” said a spokesperson for the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM). “They are gambling with people’s lives for the sake of political optics.”

As drought conditions continue to affect parts of the country and the voucher system remains under scrutiny, many Namibians fear that the most vulnerable are being pushed further into crisis.