Wilderness Safaris Launches Food Aid Amid Regional Drought
Over the next three months, Wilderness aims to provide 9,000 emergency food parcels, supporting approximately 12,500 individuals across the region.
OKAVANGO DELTA, Botswana — Okavango Wilderness Safaris has initiated a comprehensive regional relief effort, distributing 350 food parcels monthly to communities severely impacted by ongoing drought conditions in the Okavango Delta, writes Winston Mwale.
The company plans to deliver 1,050 food parcels over three months across villages including Seronga, Gunotsoga, Eretsha, Beetsha, Gudigwa, and Sankoyo, targeting the most vulnerable community members through local public meetings known as dikgotla.
"We recognize the impacts of drought and the devastating result this brings for farmers and communities," said Kabelo Binns, Okavango Wilderness Safaris Board Chairperson.
"While we provide annual assistance to farmers in these villages through ploughing and seed provision, Wilderness has seen fit to do more this season because of the particularly tough conditions throughout this region."
The dry season, typically spanning May to October, has created significant challenges for rural communities, diminishing water sources and disrupting agriculture and livestock farming.
Wildlife in areas like the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park have been forced to travel longer distances searching for water, escalating human-wildlife conflicts.
Joe Matome, the company's Caretaker Managing Director, noted that the distribution started this week and will continue through January, focusing on communities within the Okavango Community Trust.
The initiative extends beyond Botswana, with planned food parcel distributions across Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Wilderness secured USD50,000 from the Michael and Karen Stone Family Foundation to support the Botswana relief efforts.
"We are excited to begin these important handovers and look forward to using our pioneering conservation tourism model and commitment to Botswana and her people to continue impacting positive change," Binns added.
Over the next three months, Wilderness aims to provide 9,000 emergency food parcels, supporting approximately 12,500 individuals across the region.