By Elina-Ombili Shishaki /
Food insecurity has become a societal issue for villagers in Omuthiya Constituency of Oshikoto region as some parts of the region last season received low rainfall which left many residents struggling to deal with their poverty.
Although there is a drought relief programme to tackle food insecurity in rural homes some people are still not receiving this relief especially the ones in villages but they live on plots and do not have mahangu fields.
Mrs Toini Andreas a pensioner from Oshifukwa expressed that due to urban growth she lost her mahangu field in Okashana-kiingo seven years ago as a result of Omuthiya town’s expansion and development.
“I used to cultivate mahangu in my field, and this was our main source of food but now I have to manage the household with only the old age pension grant I get monthly,” she said.
“Now I live at a plot that I bought after being compensated for my field by the town council. Life has been difficult at my end because I am the only one with an income in my family.
“Ever since I moved to Oshifukwa I only received drought relief items twice, and then it stopped but I don’t know why it is as such.”
She stated that she made efforts to visit her constituency councillor’s office regarding this matter without any success.
“They suggested that I should visit our village headman but I gave up in fear of rejection since I now stay on a plot and information shared with the community before was that only those with mahangu fields qualify for drought relief.
“I have school going kids in my household, which makes it difficult to run the house affairs.
“I would rather urge them to consider us, so that drought relief items should be distributed equally to all residents regardless of where we live, whether on residential plots or we have mahangu fields as the drought is affecting all of us.”
Another resident, 54-year-old Hilde Tomas, echoed the same sentiment, that the drought relief scheme is falling short and not helping all those in need.
“I have a mahangu field, but this programme never reached us,” Tomas said.
“I do receive a disability grant but still this can’t cater to our household needs. We are on the verge of starvation and in need of assistance as soon as possible.”
Another resident, Mr Gabriel Paulus of Omalindi village, is finding it difficult to put bread on the table everyday to feed his household of nine members who are in the throes of poverty.
“The climate change is negatively affecting us northern farmers; we didn’t get anything from my field all these years due to poor rainfall.
“I do receive drought relief monthly that adds up to my pension funds but sometimes we don’t get all the food items. At times we have to share the food items with our neighbours who are in dire need of food.”
Efforts to get the Omuthiya constituency councillor’s comment proven futile.
In the photo: Mr. Gabriel Paulus pictured at his homestead in Omalindi village. In another image is Mrs Toini Andreas and Mrs Hilde Tomas with some of her youngest children.
