Wilderness launches emergency food relief initiative
Wilderness Trust commits US$250 000 in food aid
The trust has put in place a comprehensive intervention plan aimed at distributing over 9 000 emergency food parcels to approximately 12 500 individuals, primarily children, over the next three months.
As southern Africa faces its most severe drought in decades, brought about by an intense El Niño event, millions are experiencing extreme food insecurity.Recognising the challenges faced by its partner communities, Wilderness has committed to providing essential food parcel support to community partners in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia during this time of crisis.
"Drawing on our 40 years of experience in conservation tourism, we understand that local communities are intrinsically connected to the wild areas we protect and the wildlife that inhabits them. As custodians of these affected regions, we acknowledge our responsibility and are delighted that the Wilderness Trust is committing US$250 000 in vital food aid," said Vincent Shacks, Wilderness group impact manager.
In response to the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, Wilderness successfully mobilised support from guests, trade partners, staff and the Michael and Karen Stone Family Foundation Inc., raising nearly US$700 000 for food relief.
Now, in light of the current drought, Wilderness is poised to replicate these efforts to provide essential support to communities in need.
Vital support
With US$250 000 in funding secured from the Michael and Karen Stone Family Foundation Inc., through the Wilderness Trust, local teams have been deployed across Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia, focusing on those most severely affected.
"Our goal is to deliver vital assistance where it’s needed most. We've engaged with community leaders and government officials to identify those in urgent need and develop an effective support strategy,” said Shacks.
As a result, "we have put a comprehensive intervention plan in place aimed at distributing over 9 000 emergency food parcels to approximately 12 500 individuals – primarily children – over the next three months, which are expected to be the most challenging of this ongoing drought," he added.
“This focus on children is crucial for ensuring proper nutrition for school-age youth, alleviating pressure on parents while supporting their learning.”
The relief initiative encompasses both the preparation and delivery of food parcels across various communities in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It is hoped that the need for this intervention will be temporary as the El Niño event transitions to La Niña, potentially bringing beneficial rains in the months ahead, the Wilderness team noted.
Additionally, this intervention aims to mitigate the strain on natural resources, including wilderness areas and wildlife, which often suffer when livelihoods are threatened by disasters.