Help us secure the line: Namibians asked to open doors for border fence funding against FMD

Last week, Namibia's four agricultural unions launched the "One Nation. One Herd. One Responsibility." leadership campaign. The aim of the campaign is to unite all livestock producers in protecting our livestock industry against the growing threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Earlier this year, the four agricultural unions also established the FMD Support Fund to strengthen Namibia's ability to prevent and prepare for FMD. The Fund is a non-profit Section 21 company that enables the private sector to support critical FMD projects for which government funding is not always available through the normal national budget. To date, more than N$12 million has already been pledged, and we are working towards our target of N$50 million. One of our highest priorities is the repair and strengthening of strategic veterinary fences, as these fences are one of Namibia's most important lines of defence against FMD.

Namibia's FMD-free status without vaccination is one of the greatest strengths of our livestock industry. It provides access to valuable export markets, including the European Union and several other premium markets. Maintaining this status depends on keeping the disease out of Namibia, particularly in light of the current outbreaks in Botswana and South Africa.

For this reason, the FMD Support Fund is launching a new initiative called "Securing the Line." The campaign focuses on repairing specific high-risk sections of the Namibia-Botswana border fence that have been identified by the Directorate of Veterinary Services as priority areas requiring additional support.

Through this campaign, companies, organisations and individuals can sponsor one kilometre of fence, or even an entire section. Cost estimate have been done by the NAU, and all contributions will be administered through the FMD Support Fund. More information is available at the NAU.

We would like to ask for your help. Raising these funds to restore these two fence sections is a significant undertaking, and we cannot achieve it alone. Namibians have extensive networks and often know individuals or organisations that may be willing to contribute. If you know of a company, foundation, donor or international contact that may be interested in sponsoring part of the fence, or if you are able to introduce us to someone who could assist, we would greatly appreciate your support. Sometimes a single introduction is all that is needed, after which our team will take the process forward.

This fence protects every livestock producer in Namibia, not only those farming along the border. By helping us open the right doors, you will make a practical contribution towards safeguarding our livestock industry and the export markets on which we all depend.

If you have a contact or would like to make an introduction, please contact Rina Hough at the NAU's FMD Operational Centre at [email protected] or +264 82 409 9320 (ext. 14), or Dr Ingrid Henckert-Weissnar at +264 81 127 6161 or [email protected].