Northern villagers are already experiencing the harsh results of poor rainfall with shortages of water and pasture being reported. The Kunene region is the hardest hit with communal farmers already migrating to nearby regions, especially the Omusati region, in search of water and pastures for their animals.

The situation has become so serious warranting a spot on the agenda of a Cabinet meeting on 19 and 21 June. As a result, Cabinet has directed that N$20-million be transferred to the Emergency Relief Fund to finance the drilling of new and repairing of old boreholes in Kunene and Omusati region. The money will come from the Ministry of Finance.
Five new boreholes will be drilled in Kunene of which one is to be drilled in Omusati region. Maintenance and upgrading work will be done on seven boreholes in the two regions. The work will include the installation of storage facilities next to the boreholes.
“This influx of animals into the Omusati region has affected the existing water supply resources and if not well managed will also negatively affect the grazing in the long term,” noted the Cabinet.
The critical issue, noted the Cabinet in its meeting, is to address the problems of pasture. “The current situation is that where there is grazing, there is no water and where there is water there is no grazing.”
New boreholes will be drilled at areas where there seems to be additional pasture such as at Otjovatua, Ombaikiha, and at Arisona all in Kunene region.
The borehole at Otjinamatho will be repaired while the two boreholes at Ombombo will be upgraded to cater for livestock in addition to wildlife animals.