WINDHOEK, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's largest telecommunications company, MTC and World Food Program (WFP) launched a locally developed digital solution to enhance interventions when registering beneficiaries and distributing food assistance digitally.
The Food Voucher Program is part of MTC and WFP's digital transformation support to Namibia's government to address gaps and limitations in existing systems for social safety nets.
The e-vouchers are redeemable at local shops and beneficiaries have the liberty to purchase nutritional foods of their choice. Each family will receive a value voucher equivalent to 700 Namibia dollars (about 38 U.S. dollars) per cycle effective from March 31. "This will run for three cycles," MTC said in a statement Wednesday.
The e-vouchers are set to support 21,000 vulnerable people in Oshikoto, Omaheke, and Kunene regions.
WFP Deputy Country Director Erikah Shafudah, who attended the official launch on Tuesday at Tsintsabis in the Oshikoto Region praised the partnership for bringing the WFP's dream to light.
"We are proud that the solution is locally produced, and it is user-friendly for the beneficiaries," said Shafuda, adding that the vouchers are meant for food items and should not be sold for anything else other than food for the vulnerable.
Namibia is currently at a tipping point, as food insecurity is worsening with the majority of vulnerable people facing challenges in accessing food.
WFP's food assistance will reduce the impact of high food prices, especially for female-headed families in remote rural areas, Likando concluded.
