Food bank in Namibia's capital registers 22,000 families

More than 22,000 families, with about 122,000 family members, have registered as beneficiaries of the food bank in Namibia's capital Windhoek.

Poverty eradication minister Zephania Kameeta revealed this when more than 200 street committee members who will run the food bank program met President Hage Geingob at State House on Sunday.

Namibia has more than 700,000 food-insecure people, about 500,000 of whom need urgent relief.

Geingob launched the food bank program to deliver food items as part of the Harambee Prosperity Plan that aims to eradicate poverty and inequality.

A pilot project was launched in Windhoek's most deprived areas in June this year and plans to extend the program to other regions and areas are underway.

Speaking during the meeting, Geingob said the food bank would be extended to rural areas in form of seed donation and ploughing services.

Although Geingob said he was aware that there was possibility that the food bank could create dependency, but he would not give up the fight on poverty.

"As a country with resources and a smaller population, we are not saying everyone is going to have a million dollars in their pockets. No, we are saying there should be decent shelter and food at least to eat," he said. Endit