More than N$1.5 million worth of biosecurity products, surveillance kits and camping equipment has been mobilised for 30 veterinary teams responding to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
The FMD Support Fund says the supplies were provided by Agra, CYMOT, Agrimark and SWAVET in response to an urgent request from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS).
The equipment is being used by 30 DVS teams conducting surveillance and testing in remote areas, while maintaining biosecurity measures required during the FMD response.
The fund commended the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) and DVS for their work in managing the outbreak, saying the veterinary teams were operating under demanding field conditions.
The support was coo
rdinated through the FMD Support Fund, in collaboration with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), organised agriculture and private-sector partners.
The fund said the latest assistance demonstrated the purpose of the mechanism, which was established to complement, rather than replace, the work of government veterinary authorities.
Establishment
The FMD Support Fund was conceived in November 2025 amid growing concerns over FMD outbreaks in southern Africa and the potential impact on Namibia's livestock industry.
It was officially launched on 26 February 2026 by agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani, bringing together Namibia's four national farmers' unions, private-sector stakeholders, LLPBN, DVS and government.
The four unions are the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU), Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) and Previously Disadvantaged Namibian Farmers Union (PDNFU).
The fund was formally registered with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) on 28 July as a Section 21 company not for gain. It is governed by an independent board comprising representatives of the farmers' unions and industry experts.
About N$11 million was pledged at its launch, against an initial target of N$50 million to support FMD awareness, prevention, preparedness and rapid response.
The fund said confirmation of FMD in //Kharas had shifted its focus from preparedness to an active response. It stressed that DVS remains Namibia's competent veterinary authority and is responsible for the technical and regulatory response to FMD. The fund's role is to help the private sector and agricultural industry mobilise resources and coordinate support.
Financial sponsors include Bank Windhoek, FirstRand Foundation, Feedmaster, Namib Mills, DAS Group, Santam, Namibia Wildlife Ranches and Sinclair Services, alongside individual donors.
The fund is calling on private-sector organisations, development partners and individuals to support the national FMD prevention, awareness and response plan.
Contributions can be made through the FMD Support Fund at info@fmdsupportfund.com or via https://www.fmdsupportfund.com/.
The fund's target for immediate response needs remains more than N$50 million.
