Namibia is a lower-middle-income country with a population of approximately 3 million people. Despite ongoing economic recovery, the country continues to face significant socioeconomic challenges. According to the 2024 Namibia National SMART Survey, chronic malnutrition remains a major concern, with stunting affecting 30 percent of children under five. The country also continues to experience high levels of inequality. The 2024 Global Hunger Index classifies hunger in Namibia as serious, ranking the country 84th out of 121 countries assessed. In addition, 43 percent of the population experiences multidimensional poverty. Despite these challenges, Namibia maintained strong performance on gender equality in 2025, closing 81.1 percent of its gender gap and ranking eighth globally for the sixth consecutive year.

Around 70 percent of Namibians depend directly or indirectly on the agri-food sector for their livelihoods. However, access to food remains a challenge, with at least one in three households unable to afford a basic nutritious diet. Namibia continues to record one of the highest levels of inequality globally and remains highly vulnerable to climate-related shocks, including floods, prolonged droughts and pest outbreaks. These recurring shocks further intensify longstanding development challenges such as chronic malnutrition and multidimensional poverty.

The World Food Programme Country Strategic Plan (2025–2029) provides technical support to the Government of Namibia in addressing these evolving challenges through four interconnected strategic outcomes: 1) Strengthening emergency preparedness, response and early action systems; 2) Supporting social protection systems to better reach the most vulnerable populations; 3) Strengthening food systems and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers; and 4) Providing on-demand services.

What the World Food Programme is doing in Namibia

Emergency preparedness response, early action and capacity strengthening

WFP collaborate with Government and partners to enhance Governments capacity and systems to implement anticipatory action systems, respond to emergencies and adequately prepare for crisis to protect lives, food security and livelihoods from the impact of predictable climate hazard. Leveraging on its global capabilities, WFP provides access to structures and resources to ensure mobilisation of funding, expertise and systems to enable Government to effectively respond to a crisis. Such programmes aim to scale up digital systems to strengthen beneficiary registration, targeting and monitoring, while partnerships with retailers help support local economic development through expansion of the delivery modalities. WFP also strengthens national emergency preparedness and response capacities by supporting the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (VAA) processes. In addition, WFP contributes to the operationalization of the Emergency Operations Centre through the provision of essential equipment and furniture, enhancing the country’s ability to anticipate, prepare for and respond to shocks.

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Namibia is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Government of the Republic of Namibia Delegation of the European Union to Namibia Republic of Korea, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Federative Republic of Brazil Russian Federation

Operations in Namibia

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Contacts

Office

38-44 Stein Street, Klein Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek
Namibia

Email
wfp.windhoek@wfp.org
For media inquiries
theodor.uukongo@wfp.org
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