Niklaas Dawson, a member of the Gibeon Village Council, has formally requested that the Namibian state allocate specific disaster financing and emergency gear to the community. According to The Namibian, Dawson argues that the village currently lacks the financial capacity, transport, and firefighting tools necessary to respond effectively to natural hazards. He highlighted that the area is ill-prepared for veld fires, floods, and disease outbreaks, noting that prevention often receives less attention than post-damage relief.
Dawson’s letter to the Office of the Prime Minister also addresses the economic strain caused by foot-and-mouth disease restrictions. He warned that these constraints could strip communal farmers of their primary income source, complicating their ability to cover essential utility bills. This concern follows a statement by Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah, who indicated that the government might not commit to subsidies for affected farmers, despite allocating funds for vaccination and finding new trading partners. Dawson noted that prolonged disruptions in livestock movement affect not only producers but also local businesses and household food security.
In addition to the councillor’s concerns, local farmer Christiaan Swartbooi expressed frustration over what he characterized as insufficient state backing. Swartbooi told The Namibian that his community faces severe crises from multiple fronts, including drought and rising livestock feed costs. He claimed that during one recent fire event, officials took six hours to arrive, allowing the blaze to spread before rain eventually extinguished the flames. He questioned the utility of disaster risk funds if they do not ease the burdens placed on agricultural workers during these crises.
Dawson has asked the government to clarify which disaster reserves are accessible to Gibeon and the process for the village council to claim them. He also requested emergency financial assistance for communal farmers, including temporary relief for households struggling with municipal bills. Swartbooi proposed a gathering involving farmers, traditional leaders, and council members to discuss these challenges. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism had not responded to The Namibian when the story was published.