Bank Windhoek has reaffirmed its N$2 million commitment to Namibia’s national Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Support Fund following confirmation of an outbreak in the country’s previously FMD-free zone.

This comes after the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform confirmed that FMD had been detected on a commercial farm in the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the //Kharas Region on 23 September.

The ministry has since introduced measures to contain the outbreak, including the nationwide suspension of the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products, as well as the suspension of imports and exports of cloven-hoofed animals until further notice. span>

Bank Windhoek Managing Director James Chapman said the bank’s N$2 million commitment, made in February, was intended to support Namibia’s preparedness for FMD and protect the agricultural sector and livelihoods dependent on it.

“When Bank Windhoek pledged N$2 million to the FMD Support Fund in February 2026, our commitment was driven by the need to strengthen Namibia’s preparedness and protect the agricultural sector, the livelihoods it supports and our national food security,” Chapman said. “With the confirmation of an outbreak, that commitment takes on even greater significance.”

The bank said it would continue engaging with the government, industry bodies and other stakeholders as the national response develops.