Namibia has allowed the killing of hundreds of animals, including elephants, to provide food to people affected by a severe drought, according to a notice from the southern African country’s government. Last month, the United Nations reported that nearly half of Namibia’s population suffers from acute food insecurity due to a widely reported food crisis in the country.
In response, Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced on Monday that the meat from the 723 animals to be slaughtered would be distributed as part of a drought relief programme aimed at easing hunger in the country.
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“The ministry will contribute 723 animals, including 30 hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impala, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebras, 83 elephants and 100 elands. These animals will be sourced from national parks and community areas that have sustainable game numbers,” the ministry said in a press release.
“The hunt is being carried out by professional hunters and safari outfitters contracted by the ministry and conservation bodies in specific areas. To date, 157 animals of various species were hunted in Mangetti National Park, 20 in Mahango, 70 in Kwando, 6 in Bufalo and 9 in Mudumo, yielding 56,875 kilograms of meat.”
Meanwhile, regional bloc SADC said on Saturday that about 68 million people in southern Africa are suffering from the effects of drought caused by El Niño, which has destroyed crops across the region. The drought, which began in early 2024, has hit crop and livestock production, leading to food shortages and hurting wider economies. Heads of state and government of the 16-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) were meeting in the Zimbabwean capital Harare to discuss regional issues including food security.
It is the worst drought in southern Africa in years, caused by a combination of the naturally occurring El Niño – when abnormally warm waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean alter the world’s weather patterns – and higher average temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi have already declared the hunger crisis a disaster, while Lesotho and Namibia have called for humanitarian aid.
