COVID-19 emergency income grant and food security in Namibia

Emmanuel Orkoh, Evelina Nghishikomesho Hasholo, Frank Gyimah Sackey and Richard K. Asravor

Development Southern Africa, 2024, vol. 41, issue 2, 290-310

Abstract: This paper evaluates the effects of the government's COVID-19 economic stimulus and relief package (emergency/one-off income grant of ND750) on household food security in Namibia during the period of the lockdown. The analysis reveals that a household that received the income grant ($42 equivalent) experienced about 11%−17% reduction in food insecurity compared to their non-recipient counterparts. We also found that the effect was relatively higher in female-headed households than in male-headed households. The positive effect is supported by a higher proportion (53%) of the beneficiary households who were satisfied with the policy. These findings underscore the need for the government of Namibia to institutionalise and sustain the income grant policy as a safety net and extend it to cover other vulnerable households in the post-pandemic. Such a programme should be gender-responsive and targeted at household heads who make decision over food consumption and other household arrangements for a bigger impact.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2023.2276192

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