United Nations in Namibia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Namibia.

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27 November 2022

FAO supporting Namibia to develop new Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme

The first ever Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme (CCAP 2015-2020) registered commendable progress towards improving food production and incomes for farmers in Namibia. The Framework aimed to increase the application of CA principles and practices among the crop-growing farmers of Namibia. Godfried Meeja, from Otjozondjupa region says that adopting CA was the best decision he ever made as a farmer as he increased yields and now earns a decent income, while Paulina Aluuma added her voice to the awareness encouraging other farmers to adopt CA as it is an effective means to counter negative climate change effects such as low and variable pattern rainfall experienced in their Oshana region. “CA has been promoted as an entry point to Climate Smart Agriculture and has the potential to contribute towards mitigation of some of the climate change and food systems challenges in Namibia,” Mildred Kambinda, Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) noted in the meeting to evaluate the ended CA framework. Formulating second generation of CA Framework The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through a 10 countries regional project “Strengthening Coordination, Scaling Up and Governance of Conservation Agriculture in Southern Africa (SUCASA)” is supporting development of the second generation of CCAP in Namibia. The five-year Programme will inspire Namibia’s farmers towards adopting CA in order to ensure resilience, food security and nutrition as well as environmental protection. The development of the first generation of the CA framework was also supported by FAO in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR). “As the global climate crisis intensifies, more and more countries are beginning to adopt climate-smart, sustainable agriculture to ensure food security to feed millions of vulnerable people", Ferdinard Mwapopi, Assistant FAO Representative (Progammes) in Namibia said during a consultative meeting. "Namibia still remains a net importer of food items and is thus highly exposed to environmental and economic factors affecting it as well as those prevailing in food exporting countries, and this increases its vulnerability to the shocks", added Mwapopi. Transitioning to climate-smart agriculture practices Consultations among key stakeholders are underway from development partners, academia and farmers to guide the design of the new intervention, and also ensure ownership and its successful implementation. The new CA framework is being designed with the technical support from FAO and will seek to transition Namibian farmers from rain-fed traditional farming practice toward climate-smart agriculture. Conservation Agriculture adoption and scaling up is highlighted in the 5th National Development Plan for Namibia 2017-2022 and the MAWLR Strategic Plan 2017-2022. The country has a target to have more farmers adopt at least one of the CA practices; minimum tillage, crop rotation and organic soil cover, by 2025 to ensure food and nutrition security. The urgent need to scale up CA Agriculture in Namibia is primarily rain-fed with the majority of the population engaged in subsistence farming. “Despite agriculture being the main source of food for the smallholder farmers, most conventional farming practices have negative impacts on the ecosystems and contribute to environmental degradation, for example loss of soil quality,” Mwapopi noted. With the country’s vulnerabilities such as prolonged dry spell and floods which at times take place simultaneously, Conservation Agriculture adoption would provide sustainable food production. The FAO support is aimed at enhancing institutional and individual capacities of researchers, extension officers and farmers to enable the adoption of new agricultural good practices for improved crop production. The capacities of the MAWLR are being developed to promote CA principles to help farmers increase production and productivity, thus reducing risks and building resilience to climate change. , filtered_html

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27 November 2022

Youthconnekt Namibia Launched

OTJIWARONGO, Namibia — The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), officially launched the YouthConnekt Namibia initiative on 21 September 2022. YouthConnekt Africa is a Pan-African program established by the African Union to co-design and expedite suitable solutions for youth socio-economic development, as well as to support intergovernmental knowledge exchange on policy, initiatives, and collaborations. Operationalised in 2020, the YouthConnekt Africa hub aims to contribute to the achievement of Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mandate, the AU 2063 agenda and the AU Youth Charter. Through national YouthConnekt initiatives, the hub accomplishes its mandate by coordinating a global network to create a continental ecosystem for African youth; sharing experience and knowledge on programme and policy design, youth initiatives and providing a conduit for resources at scale and data on youth empowerment initiatives. The Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Hon. Emma Kantema-Gaomas said YouthConnekt Namibia aims to involve Namibian youth in the YouthConnekt Africa Hub, where they will be expected to share ideas, submit business initiatives and acquire technical development skills. “Our mandate as a ministry is focused towards the promotion of youth empowerment initiatives as expounded in our third national youth policy. It is, therefore, our duty to ensure that we join hands with development partners and other progressive organisations in the development of youth,” said Hon. Kantema-Gaomas during the launch. She added that there is an urgent need for youth participation at the top end of the country’s economy, hence, the government has put together a variety of policy interventions designed to bring youth into the mainstream of the economy in order to improve inclusion and cohesion. “Africa's most valuable resource is its youth, and Namibia is no exception, with youth constituting the majority of the population,” she stated. Loide Amkongo, UNFPA Namibia Assistant Representative and Officer in Charge urged youth to read more to keep abreast with developments and opportunities. “Read, Reach and participate,” she advised the youth during a panel discussion on how Namibian youth can prepare themselves to fully benefit from the YouthConnekt. “Finally Namibia has officially become part of YouthConnect Africa. We have started to connect with youth from all over Namibia and I cannot wait to connect with youth from the rest of the continent. I want to thank our government for this wonderful initiative, bringing youth together for problem-solving, promoting youth engagement, and empowering the youth,” said Valmary Jantjie, a youth from! Kharas region. Riaan Siyama, a youth from the Zambezi region also looked forward to connecting with fellow youth and hearing their thoughts and ideas, especially on how to end gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. Siyama is a co-founder of Building Every Opportunity for Change, a civil society organisation that works with men to prevent GBV in Zambezi region. “Without concerted efforts to address GBV and other forms of gender injustices, the lives of women and girls in the country remain at risk." "I’m very thankful that we have been accorded the opportunity to be part of the YouthConnekt Namibia launch where we can showcase our work as well as collaborate with other youth around the country and make it effective for us to combat these social illnesses in our country,” he added. The fifth YouthConnekt Africa Summit took place in Kigali, Rwanda in October this year, where hundreds of young people from the member states of YouthConnekt Africa gathered to share experiences, knowledge, and skills. Some of the members of YouthConnekt Namibia attended the summit in Kigali. , filtered_html

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14 November 2022

Adolescents and youth with disabilities, and adolescents living with and affected by HIV empowered on HIV and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights

UNAIDS Namibia in collaboration with the Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) and National Federation of People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPDN) with the support of UNICEF and UNFPA recently facilitated a two-day workshop on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Windhoek, as part of the 2gether4SRHR initiative. The workshop provided a safe platform for adolescents to interact and share key issues, successes and challenges that they face, for enhanced programming to address gaps in the HIV response, and to strengthen linkages between adolescents with disabilities and other adolescents, including those living with and affected by HIV to strengthen inclusion and partnerships. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted access to life-saving sexual and reproductive and other health services for adolescents, especially those with disabilities and those living and affected by with HIV. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted access to life-saving sexual and reproductive and other health services for adolescents, especially those with disabilities and those living and affected by with HIV. In her opening remarks, Dr Alti Zwandor, UNAIDS Namibia Country Director, encouraged participants to actively contribute during the workshop and continue engaging in programmes for and with youth and adolescents to end inequalities. “I hope that your views, suggestions, and recommendations from this workshop will inform the outcome document that will be developed to provide guidance on gender-transformative and human rights-based interventions for adolescents with disabilities in Namibia." " I therefore urge you to be as free, open, and frank as possible,” said Dr Zwandor. Among other challenges, the lack of sign language interpreters and skills is a big concern in Namibia as interpreters are usually fully booked when needed by the hearing-impaired community. This was also highlighted by the Namibia Planned Parenthooh Association (NAPPA), a youth friendly service provider for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care and support. This continues to limit access to health and other social and essential services, leaving people with disabilities behind. “We often get discouraged to seek services from health facilities as there are no sign language interpreters to communicate our needs to healthcare workers and information hardly reaches us," said Martha, an adolescent with hearing impairment. Participants emphasized the need for the inclusion of adolescents with disabilities in the HIV and COVID-19 responses to ensure that people with disabilities access quality and equitable health services. UNAIDS has long advocated for a three-track approach to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities in the HIV response, being: Disability-specific activities and mainstreaming disability across all aspects of HIV responses. Participation and active involvement of people with disabilities in all programme elements. Disability-inclusive policies, programmes and implementation strategies that ensure appropriate funding and resources. UNAIDS Namibia calls for all partners to use the social model, which acknowledges that the current inequalities are not due to peoples’ disability or vulnerability, but the inability of society to eliminate barriers challenging persons with disabilities. This will ensure inclusive development and programming for adolescents and youth so that they benefit from available services, and that the social and structural barriers that prevent young people from accessing HIV services are removed. Speaking on behalf of the NFPDN, Mr. Orben Muluti calls for communities to start practicing equity and not equality. “Equity will help us move to a better world, where all societal systems recognize the issues of people with disabilities and work collectively with them to mainstream disability in all aspects of life.” said Muluti. In closing, the NNAD Director, Mr Paul Nanyeni highlighted the limited communication modalities for people with disabilities and emphasised the need to strengthen joint advocacy for the inclusion of sign language as an official language in Namibia. The workshop was facilitated by various partners including AfriYAN Namibia, Regain Trust, NAPPA, Youth Empowerment Group (YEG), UNFPA, UNICEF and UNAIDS. The outcome document will be shared with all stakeholders for accelerated action for HIV and SRHR programming for adolescents with disabilities. , filtered_html

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03 December 2022

International Day of Persons with Disabilities Marks 29 Years of Disability Advocacy

It was first launched in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3. The event is in its 29th year of celebration, marking nearly three decades of meaningful change for the community of Persons with Disabilities. Such days allow us to pose and shine a light on different situations of Persons with different disabilities worldwide and what our contributions as society are towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of life. This day is aimed at celebrating the successes of persons with disabilities and promoting their rights and well-being in all spheres of society and development. Although we live in a world where the contributions of persons with disabilities are not seen, it is very important to remember that a disability is less than the abilities of someone with a disability. This year’s theme is “Transformative solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World” Focusing on three areas namely- Employment, Sports and Innovation by and for persons with disabilities. Today and every day the UN is working together with people with different disabilities to create a world that is accessible, equal and inclusive for our fellow Brothers and Sisters who are differently abled, but the UN cannot do this alone since disability is a cross-cutting issue. How can you assist the UN in creating an accessible, equal and inclusive world for persons with disabilities around you? As we commemorate the 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we do enjoy the following poem entitled "No One" by Ms Pelgrina Ndumba, a UN Namibia Country Staff Member with a Visual Impairment. No one Seeking the acceptance of our communities should not be in vein, because no one will live our lives on our behalf. A life of societal discrimination and ignorance should be a story of the past, because no one can live our lives on our behalf. A helping hand to cross the street or to count money should not discourage us from achieving our goals, because no one should live our lives on our behalf We are valuable agents of change; we are well able and should make a mark on the world because no one will live our lives on our behalf. We are more than our faces; we are more than what you see. Our potential SHOULD be fully realized because no one will live our lives on our behalf. Nothing about us will be done without us, because no one will live our lives on our behalf Daily, we must face the inescapable challenges birthed from stigma and hate. We are who we are today, because no one will live our lives on our behalf. Morale In whatever you do always be yourself, because you are not who you are by mistake and don’t let anything or anybody put you down, because you are able. , filtered_html

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15 November 2022

Towards an Early Warning System for Harmful Algal Blooms in Namibia

IOC-UNESCO and Namibia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources organized major consultation to assess the specific needs and requirements for establishing an early warning system for harmful algal blooms in the Southern African country. About 300 hundred species of microalgae are reported at times to form mass occurrences, so-called algal blooms. Nearly one-fourth of these species are known to produce toxins harmful to nature and to human beings, and the scientific community refers to these algal events as ‘Harmful Algal Blooms’ (HAB). Proliferations of microalgae in marine or brackish waters can cause massive fish kills, contaminate seafood with toxins, and alter ecosystems in ways that humans perceive as harmful. The impact of harmful microalgae is particularly evident when marine food resources (e.g. fisheries and aquaculture) are affected. Even though not all species are visibly affected by harmful algal blooms – such as shellfish and finfish –, they accumulate the toxins in their organs and subsequently transmit them to humans through consumption, leading to serious health threats. “In the interest of food safety for the end consumer, an early warning system for HABs will serve as a food safety intervention tool to identify potential risks required to be managed; to maintain consumer and customer confidence; and to expand national, regional and international trade through the promotion of a safe seafood commodity.” - Heidi Skrypzeck, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Namibia Monitoring of harmful algal blooms is essential in providing forecasts and early warnings for a potential HAB event, enabling regional authorities, industry, or individuals to take actions to mitigate public health, environmental, or economic risks and impacts. The 5-6 October workshop gathered 32 participants from government ministries, the private sector, academic institutions, and official laboratories to define the early warning system requirements for Namibia, review current capacities and resources in place, and outline missing knowledge and data gaps. As a result of collaboration between the Government of Namibia, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO) and UNESCO’s Windhoek Office, the workshop marked the starting point of the development of an early warning system for HABs in Namibia combining monitoring with a mitigation and adaptation strategy. “Through its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO strives to assist Member States in managing and mitigating the impacts of harmful algae, essential for a productive and sustainable seafood industry.” - Henrik Enevoldsen, Head of Ocean Science at IOC-UNESCO The workshop helped national stakeholders identify and share the main causes and effects of harmful algal blooms in Namibia, including mortalities, human food poisonings, ocean oxygen depletion, and the associated economic and ecological impacts – in particular on the export of shellfish products. Participants identified an urgent need to establish a rapid monitoring and regulatory framework to ensure the protection of human health and safe seafood trade from the regular occurrence of harmful algae in the country. “Engaging from the beginning with the different stakeholders is crucial to ensure that the early warning system being developed will eventually effectively meet their specific needs.” - Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein, invited expert from the University of Côte d’Azur , filtered_html

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24 March 2025

A mother’s second chance: How a maternity waiting home is saving lives in Kunene region, Namibia

“I thought it was just labour, so I tried to sleep, thinking I'd go to the hospital in the morning.”Kuliua lives in Orotjitombo, a small village about 29 kilometers from Opuwo, the capital of Namibia's Kunene region. In 2018, she was expecting her first child. But by the time she reached the hospital the next day, it was too late. Her baby boy had died from umbilical cord strangulation, a tragic complication.“If only I had gone to the hospital sooner,” Kuliua says, her eyes filled with a quiet sadness. “Or if I had been at the Maternity Waiting Home...” She pauses, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. “We don’t have a car, and it's hard to find someone to take you quickly.” She also admits she did not attend antenatal care services.“I regret it every day,” she says.Kunene region faces significant challenges in maternal healthcare. Long distances, poor roads, and a lack of transportation mean many women struggle to reach hospitals in time for delivery. This region also has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Namibia. Finding safety and supportToday, Kuliua is expecting her third child. Two daughters, three and five years old, keep her busy when she is home. This time again, she’s staying at the Kazetjitindire Angelika Muharukhua Maternity Waiting Home in Opuwo. “Here, I feel safe,” she says. “If anything happens, I’m close to the hospital.”The maternity waiting home, built in 2013, provides a place for expectant mothers to stay as their due date approaches. It offers essential facilities such as a shared kitchen, dining room, and comfortable sleeping quarters.“It's comfortable here,” Kuliua explains. “At home, we cook outside on the fire. Here, we have stoves. We sleep on beds, not on the floor. It makes a big difference.”In 2023, the United Nations in Namibia, through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s Leaving No One Behind project, funded by the Japanese Embassy, stepped in to improve the waiting home. Refurbishment efforts were undertaken, and essential supplies, including dignity kits, were provided. Items such as a refrigerator, stoves, dining tables, chairs, blankets, and mosquito nets were donated.The maternity waiting home was constructed with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) through funding from the European Union. The World Food Programme (WFP) helped establish a garden, providing fresh vegetables for the women. The garden ensures access to nutritious food, which is essential for the health of expectant mothers and their babies. Learning how to grow food also helps the women maintain better nutrition for their families once they return home. A commitment to maternal healthOn 7 March 2024, UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Hopolang Phororo visited the maternity waiting home, spending the afternoon with pregnant women, including Kuliua, to better understand their experiences. She was accompanied by UNFPA Namibia Representative Erika Goldson and UN Women SA Representative Aleta Miller. The visit was part of International Women’s Day, celebrating the strength and resilience of women.“Every woman deserves access to safe maternal healthcare, no matter where she lives,” said Phororo. “This maternity waiting home is an example of how we can bring services closer to those who need them most, ensuring that no mother has to experience the heartbreak of losing a child due to preventable complications.”The United Nations in Namibia continues to work towards improving maternal healthcare through its support for maternity waiting homes, family planning initiatives, and efforts to reduce teenage pregnancies. Through partnerships with the government, local communities and other partners, the UN is committed to ensuring that every mother and child has the best possible start in life.For Kuliua, staying at the maternity waiting home is more than just a place to wait—it’s a chance to give her baby the safest possible beginning. “This time, I am doing everything I can to make sure my baby arrives safely. And I hope more women will do the same.”Maternity Waiting Homes (MWHs) empower women and promote gender equality by providing safe spaces for pregnant women, especially in remote areas, ensuring access to skilled maternal care and reducing childbirth risks. They safeguard women’s health, enabling greater participation in social and economic activities, while challenging gender norms by prioritizing women’s health and rights. MWHs are a vital link between health equity, women’s empowerment, and gender equality. , filtered_html

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24 March 2025

From hardship to harvest: Aline's garden of hope in Kunene

“When COVID-19 struck,” she says, “I knew I couldn't just wait for help. I had to do something for my family and my community.”The pandemic disrupted livelihoods to the already challenging landscape of Kunene, making it difficult for her community to access essential food supplies. Apart from COVID-19, critical food insecurity was another push factor.Aline, a mother of three, decided to take action. She left her home and moved 20 kilometers to be closer to a borehole, an important source of water in the arid Kunene region.” This area has water,” she explains. “It's where community members bring their livestock to drink. I thought this would be the right place to start a garden.” In 2020, she began her garden. It was not just the pandemic that pushed her; Kunene is also one of the regions hardest hit by prolonged droughts, leading to food insecurity. She turned a challenge into an opportunity, using her garden to provide for herself and others. The buffalo grass she grows is particularly valuable, as it is used to feed livestock, helping farmers sustain their animals during dry periods.Growing more than foodAline's journey took a significant leap forward when she was selected for Climate-Smart Agriculture training under the EntreprenHER program in October 2024, a joint initiative by United Nations in Namibia, De Beers Group, and the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare. She is one of over 500 Namibian women who have benefited from the program, gaining not only agricultural skills but also business acumen and access to micro-grants.“This training changed everything for me,” Aline says. “I learned how to make my garden more productive and how to grow crops that can survive the harsh climate.” Now, Aline's garden provides more than just food for her family. She cultivates a variety of crops, including chilies, citrus fruits, grapes, mint, guava, onions, beans, and pumpkin, among others. She's become a vital part of her community, selling her produce during the monthly government pension payout events, where elderly community members gather to collect their grants. “I normally sell my produce,” she says, “but sometimes I give it away for free.”However, living in a remote area comes with challenges. She struggles to reach potential clients due to the distance and the fact that many in her community have unstable incomes and cannot afford to buy fresh produce. As a result, she mainly relies on her crops for household consumption. Pest infestations also threaten her harvests, leading to significant losses. To protect her garden, she plants chilies around it, as the compounds in chili peppers can help deter elephants that occasionally wander into the area. A model for changeOn 6 March 2025, Aline’s efforts were recognized when UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Hopolang Phororo visited her thriving garden. She was accompanied by Aleta Miller, UN Women SA Representative, and Erika Goldson, UNFPA Namibia Representative. The delegation witnessed firsthand the impact of the EntreprenHER program and Aline’s resilience in the face of challenges.The UN visit was part of the International Women's Day commemorations, aimed at paying tribute to the resilience, strength, and contribution of women in Namibia.“This is a good example, and I hope others will be inspired to also do what you do,” said Ms. Phororo, praising Aline’s work as a model of self-sufficiency and determination.Aline’s journey reflects the broader mission of the UN in Namibia—to empower marginalized communities, especially women, by providing skills, resources, and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods. Through initiatives like EntreprenHER, UN Namibia is promoting food security, economic independence, and resilience in rural areas, ensuring that no one is left behind.By supporting women like Aline, the UN and its partners are directly contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).“Aline’s story is proof that with the right support and determination, crisis can be turned into opportunity, and hardship into hope,” said Phororo., filtered_html

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12 March 2025

Empowered to ensure a safer and healthier fishing sector

He had worked as captain at sea for over a decade, a position which he left in 2003 to take-up office work focusing on health and safety issues. Historically, the company had complied with only the basic requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act. Willem realized there was more to be done beyond mere compliance after participating in a joint safety inspection for fishing vessels in November-December 2023. That exercise, which identified multiple health and safety violations and breaches, reached almost 480 fishermen from companies with operations in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. It came up with recommendations – which became a turning point in the operations of Merlus Fishing and Willem’s role in conducting company and sector-wide sensitization on the importance of risk assessments.He became a change champion at Merlus Fishing.Willem recounted “Working at sea is not an easy task. The long hours of work with little rest, meant that we often ignored safety issues. The risk assessment training facilitated by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation and the ILO opened my eyes on how more can be done to upscale safety measures and improve the safety of crew members in my company’’.He has enhanced his own knowledge and skills on risk auditing and management by completing the Safe Management Systems offered by the Sea Safety Training Group. As a direct result of this newfound knowledge Willem has helped conduct training for crews on four of this company’s vessels. ‘’As the head of safety, I was astonished by the new shared responsibility amongst fishermen and officials alike on these vessels. A sense of ownership regarding safety has grown within these fishermen” observes Mr. Buckle. Merlus Fishing is looking to provide training to their remaining six vessels to ensure full compliance across their fleet.For many Namibian fishermen, the sea is more than a workplace, it is their home away from home. However, unsafe working conditions and inadequate protections have long plagued the industry. Through government intervention, ILO support, and specialized training, health and safety standards for the sector are improving. To date, three joint inspections bringing together Ministries of Labour, Works and Transport and Fisheries and Marine Resources have been conducted with ILO support. The message is getting out there, only through stakeholder engagement can we identify violations and enforce corrective actions for a safer, fairer working environment.Leaders like Willem Buckle are championing change, ensuring compliance and fostering a culture of shared responsibility between management and the workforce. As Namibia strengthens its commitment to safer waters and fishing, fishermen are finally experiencing the dignity and protection they deserve. , filtered_html

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05 March 2025

Sowing Seeds of Success

Veronika Misisi (35) is a smallholder farmer in the Kavango West Region of Namibia who participates in the World Food Programme’s (WFP) home-grown school feeding programme at the Mbandu Murangi Primary School. Veronika is one of 41 smallholder farmers from Kavango West region that are part of the home grown school feeding programme. Veronika sells her Mutete (Hibiscus Robella) to supplement meals at the school which uses locally grown produce from smallholder farmers to provide the children nutritious mid-day meals. Before joining the programme, Veronikastruggled to sell her produce and but now the school buys her produce at a fair price, allowing her to support her family, pay school fees, and buy seeds for the next season. This year, she expects to harvest over 14 bags (20kg per bag) of Mutete, a significant improvement from her previous yield of 5 bags. The programme has not only provided a livelihood opportunity for Veronika but also ensured that children at her local school nutritious meals.WFP’s home-grown school feeding programme has transformed lives in this community. By connecting smallholder farmers like Veronika to schools, it creates a sustainable market, smallfarmers earn consistent income, and children receive healthy food. Veronika will now start training other women in her village to grow different crops and join her, believing that together they can grow more food and sell it to other regions. For Veronika, the programme is more than just a source of income it’s a lifeline to a brighter future for her family and her community., filtered_html

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Press Release

04 February 2025

UN SDG Book Club African Chapter Celebrates World Read Aloud Day with Global Read-a-thon

The Power of Reading AloudWorld Read Aloud Day, observed annually on February 5th, emphasizes the significance of reading aloud and sharing stories to foster literacy, empathy, and community building. This day holds particular importance in Africa, where access to reading materials can be limited, and literacy rates vary greatly across the continent.Empowering African ChildrenBy celebrating World Read Aloud Day, the UN SDG Book Club African Chapter aims to inspire a love for reading and storytelling centered around sustainability concerns among African children. Reading aloud has the power to bridge cultural divides, preserve heritage, and foster a sense of shared humanity.Partnering Schools Across the GlobeThe UN SDG Book Club African Chapter is delighted to partner with the following schools worldwide:1. Islamic Day Secondary School - Ibadan, Nigeria2. Banana Island International School - Lagos, Nigeria3. Nature-Nurtured Basic Academy Chukuku - Abuja, Nigeria4. Holy Family Languages School for Girls - Cairo, Egypt5. Saint Fatima Language School - Cairo, Egypt6. Chrisland Schools Group - Lagos, Abuja, Nigeria7. Beehive School - Lagos, Nigeria8. Mohammed El-Sheikh Preparatory School - Casablanca, Morocco9. Bal Bhavan Public School - East Delhi, India10. Mount Abu Public School - North West Delhi, India11. Maharaja Aggarsain Adarsh Public School - New Delhi, India12. Maharaja Agrasen Model School - New Delhi, IndiaSaluting Young AmbassadorsWe salute the participating children for their enthusiasm and dedication to reading and promoting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These young ambassadors are helping to shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.About the UN SDG Book Club African ChapterOur mission is to promote literacy, foster a love for reading, and inspire action towards achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among African children ages 6-12. We also showcase Special Collections of selected books addressing sustainability themes for young adults and adults.Join the Celebration!Starting from 12 noon on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, selected video highlights from the read-a-thon will be published on:- Ambassador Schools Program website: sdgafricaambassadorschools.com -YouTube channel: UN SDG Book Club African Chapter Follow us on social media for promotions:- Facebook: Borders Book Reviews and Nigeria Volunteers Network- Instagram: Borders_Book_Reviews- Twitter: @sdg_book_clubWe look forward to sharing the joy of reading with you!, filtered_html

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Press Release

22 October 2024

UN Calls for Commitment to Agenda 2030 and beyond, as Namibia Prepares for the 2025-2029 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

Last month, the Pact for the Future was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly, providing a renewed vision for multilateralism aimed at addressing global challenges and delivering on promises for a better future.In Namibia, the United Nations is ushering in a new era of development cooperation with the launch of the 2025-2029 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which succeeds the 2019-2024 United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF). Reflecting on lessons learned from the previous framework, much progress was made in social transformation—such as in health, education, and gender-based violence—less was achieved in environmental governance, economic transformation, and governance outcomes. These areas, require a concerted push for greater impact under the new UNSDCF.Tackling inequality in an integrated manner and placing people at the centre of the work the UN does with an emphasis on young people is the overarching goal. This requires concrete actions to move beyond rhetoric and meaningfully engage young people in the implementation. Central to the 2025-2029 UNSDCF is a renewed focus on addressing persistent issues such as gender-based violence, rising teenage pregnancies, increasing unemployment, and the challenges of drought and floods. These issues, which continue to affect Namibia’s population, remain key priorities for the next phase of collaboration between the UN and Namibia.The UNSDCF 2025-2029 prioritizes four key areas:Effective Governance and Public Service Delivery: Strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing institutional capacities, and promoting transparency.Economic Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience: Supporting economic diversification, job creation, and SME growth for inclusive economic development.Sustainable Development and Green Growth Opportunities: Promoting sustainable natural resource management and strengthening climate resilience.Human Development and Community Resilience: Improving access to quality healthcare, education, and social protection services to ensure no one is left behind.These areas of focus are closely aligned with Namibia’s national priorities outlined in the forthcoming Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and the Vision 2030. In this new framework, young people and marginalized communities will remain central to all development efforts. The UN aims to create more inclusive opportunities for youth participation in the economy and decision-making processes, while ensuring that women, rural populations, and people with disabilities are not left behind.The UN, while not a financing institution, has provided critical technical expertise, evidence-based solutions, and pilot programmes supported by catalytic funds. The UNSDCF emphasizes the need for greater coordination among UN agencies, and strengthening partnerships with government bodies, civil society, the private sector, and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to achieve more significant, sustainable results. Leveraging the comparative advantages of each partner and fostering collaboration rather than competition will be essential to driving progress.The Pact for the Future provides a global framework for supporting national priorities and acceleration towards the SDGs. The UNSDCF 2025-2029 underscores the UN’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s development objectives in the lead-up to 2030 and beyond., filtered_html

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Press Release

11 October 2024

UN and Government of Namibia Join Forces to Address Drought Crisis Amid El Niño

This initiative aims to deliver immediate assistance to vulnerable communities complementing other interventions to build long-term resilience. This funding decision by the United Nations CERF follows the visit of the Office of the ASG/Climate Crisis Coordinator for the El Niňo / La Niňa Response, Ms. Reena Ghelani, and the OCHA Regional Office in July 2024. The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Hopolang Phororo, and the ASG/Climate Crisis Coordinator for the El Niňo / La Niňa Response, Ms. Ghelani, advocated for UN support at regional and global level, as well as from development partners.
Namibia is currently facing one of its most severe droughts, influenced by the El Niño climate pattern, which has significantly impacted agriculture and food security across the nation. This crisis threatens the livelihoods of communities, particularly in the Omaheke, Kavango East, and Kavango West regions, which are classified as Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) 4, indicating an emergency in terms of food insecurity.
The United Nations, with the Government of Namibia, has mobilized US$3 million in response to this urgent need, leveraging the CERF. This funding, coordinated through the UN and OPM partnership, aims to complement the government’s Drought Response Plan to scale up lifesaving interventions to reach extremely vulnerable households in the most severely drought-affected locations in Kavango West, Kavango East, and Omaheke Regions.
The UN intervention will be implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for six months. The total number of people directly targeted is approximately 163,000 across the following sectors: food assistance; nutrition; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and protection from gender-based violence.
The UN will oversee the implementation in collaboration with OPM, national, and local partners to ensure the effective distribution of food and services to those in most need. These efforts not only address the immediate crisis but also lays the foundation for long-term resilience, focusing on strengthening local supply chains, enhancing nutritional knowledge, and building community feedback mechanisms.
The integrated approach is designed to ensure accountability and transparency, with monitoring mechanisms established to protect the rights of affected communities and promote sustainable livelihoods. , filtered_html

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Press Release

28 November 2022

Labour Migration Governance Key to Protecting Migrant Workers in Southern Africa

The President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Mnagwanga will officially open the high-level conference which seeks to find ways to foster fair and effective labour migration governance and the protection of migrant workers in Southern Africa. Led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the High-Level Tripartite Dialogue is a culmination of activities and research organised by the Southern African Migration Management (SAMM) Project to identify priorities at the national level and advance in the implementation of country-level labour migration policies and action plans in the SADC region. It is designed to improve migration management in the Southern African and Indian Ocean region guided by, and contributing to the realisation of, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda goal 8 on decent work and economic growth and goal 10 on reducing inequality and Objective 6 of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) to Facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that ensure decent work. Since almost half of all migrant workers in the SADC region are women, the conference will spotlight the importance of labour migration policies to be gender-responsive and evidence-based. For many women, as for men, migration can represent a positive experience and have important emancipating and empowering impacts. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA, year ), the feminization of migration has reached significant levels in the Southern African region with 47 per cent of all migrants being female. But often female migrants are confronted with gender specific disadvantages and vulnerability in the migration process and in their employment. Women workers, especially young female migrants, often end up in situations of double or even triple discrimination, disadvantage, marginalization and vulnerability (including violence and harassment as well as forced labour. “Maximizing the benefits of labour migration and minimizing the risks and social costs requires sound and effective labour migration governance,” said Ms. Hopalong Phororo, ILO Director for ILO Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia. “Expert studies and data show that migration, particularly labour migration, is an important enabler and beneficiary of regional integration and economic development in Africa.” Across the world, migration is largely linked to the search for a job and better wages, and even if employment is not the primary driver, it usually features in the migration process at some point. In Southern Africa, as in many parts of the world, migrants face prejudice, intolerance and stigmatization in their workplaces and communities. “It is necessary to advocate for improved migration management in Southern Africa, as a pivotal approach to addressing the challenges of migration, and ensuring that migration has a positive outcome for the country, migrants, and the members of their families”, said Mr. Ashraf El Nour, IOM Regional Director for Southern Africa. The Southern African region has had a long history of intra-regional migration. All Member States of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are involved in labour migration flows as countries of origin, transit, or destination and often they play the three roles at the same time. In the SADC region, migrant workers are present in agriculture, fishing, mining, construction, food processing, domestic work, caregiving, cleaning, restaurants-hotels, transportation and retail trade. The two day conference will promote fair, ethical and effective labour migration governance through tripartism that brings Ministries of Labour/Employment, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, as well as workers’ and employers’ organisations and social dialogue particularly in the development of rights-based, gender-sensitive and evidence-based labour migration legislation and policies, taking account of labour market needs. The conference will assess labour migration governance progress so far, gaps and challenges as well as main opportunities to consider in the SADC region. It will also identify tripartite constituents’ labour migration governance priority areas of collaboration, share existing and proposed good practices and recommendations and mention current roles and contributions. It will also provide a platform to tripartite partners to re-organise and re-strategize on labour migration governance in Southern Africa About the SAMM Project The SAMM Project is a United Nations Multi-Agency programme composed of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The European Union is supporting and funding the implementation of the project. , filtered_html

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Press Release

25 November 2022

Message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member — and we know that other stresses, from the COVID-19 pandemic to economic turmoil, inevitably lead to even more physical and verbal abuse. Women and girls also face rampant online violence, from misogynistic hate speech, to sexual harassment, image abuse and grooming by predators. This discrimination, violence and abuse targeting half of humanity comes at a steep cost. It limits women’s and girls’ participation in all walks of life, denies their basic rights and freedoms, and blocks the equal economic recovery and sustainable growth our world needs. Now is the time for transformative action that ends violence against women and girls. This means governments designing, funding and implementing national action plans to tackle this scourge. It means involving grassroots and civil society groups at every stage of decision-making. It means ensuring that laws are implemented and respected, so survivors see their rights to justice and support upheld. It means supporting public campaigns that challenge patriarchal norms and reject misogyny and violence. And as this year’s theme — “UNITE: Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls” — reminds us, it means standing with activists around the world who are calling for change and supporting survivors of violence. I call on governments to increase funding by 50 per cent to women’s rights organizations and movements by 2026. Let’s take a stand and raise our voices in support of women’s rights. Let’s proudly declare: We are all feminists. Let’s consign violence against women and girls to the history books. , filtered_html

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