Dear John,

With global temperatures rising, countries nearer the equator that have contributed little to the climate crisis are facing the greatest difficulties. As our Planetary Health Appeal highlights the impact of environmental issues on communities globally, today we look at how Namibia is dealing with climate change.

Namibia, a country in southern Africa, is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa with two deserts, the Namib desert in the west and the Kalahari desert in the east.

Health Poverty Action (HPA) has been working with communities in Namibia since the 1980s and our team there has witnessed first-hand the disastrous effects of climate change in their country.

Pieter Steenkamp, HPA Country Director in Namibia, shares a little about the challenges facing people in the communities we work with and the country as a whole:

"Namibia is an arid country and we're vulnerable to climate change, with the second highest risk index score in the world. We can observe the impact as we're currently experiencing the most severe drought in 100 years, which started in 2019. The government declared a state of emergency in 2019 and it hasn't been lifted since.

This particularly affects marginalised groups, with vegetation becoming scarce and water sources drying. We primarily work with the San people, a nomadic ethnic group who mainly live off the land. Most Namibians are cattle farmers and they need water and pasture for their livestock.

In 2019 more than 60,000 livestock died due to drought. This year the government culled over 700 wildlife to relieve pressure on water supplies and grazing, and to provide meat for people going hungry."

Reflecting on the human impact of the drought, Pieter explains further:

"It was reported in 2019 that the national unemployment rate was 32% but experts now estimate that it could be as high as 53%. Gender-based violence (GBV) and violent robberies are increasing as people become hungrier. The baby dumping phenomenon is also worsening, with young girls who possibly had to sell their bodies to survive not able to afford another mouth to feed.

Reservoir levels are low, with water use restrictions in force across the whole country. Many communities are now depending on water from boreholes and we're seeing increased incidence of illnesses and diseases, higher mortality rates and adverse mental health outcomes.

Speaking on our work with the San people, Pieter outlines the impact of climate change:

"Our work with the San involves helping people adhere to treatment for diseases such as tuberculosis. This is difficult as the San people move to find food and drought means they're moving more.

People also need food to eat when they're taking medication and, with the present situation, many are finding it difficult to adhere to treatment."

Despite these issues, Pieter explains that people are maintaining a sense of hope:

"When the thermometer says it's 32° it feels like 42°. If it's hot and water is scarce, things become difficult.

However, Namibians are used to dealing with these issues and they will say 'it is hot but we are alive'. People still tend to have a positive attitude."

As we continue to work with communities that are affected by climate change we appreciate all our supporters for enabling us to engage in this kind of long-term work.

Warm regards,

Siaffa Bunduka,

Supporter Engagement Manager