WINDHOEK, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Windhoek aims to strengthen disaster resilience by 2030 as rapid urbanization heightens risks from floods, severe weather and house fires, Mayor Sakarias Uunona said Tuesday.
Speaking at the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Namibia's capital city, Uunona said about one-third of Windhoek's population lives in informal housing, often in environmentally vulnerable areas exposed to natural hazards.
According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, Windhoek had 486,186 residents, with an annual population growth rate of 3.3 percent. The mayor said the city's population is now expected to exceed 500,000.
Uunona said the city launched its Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2030 in June, setting a goal of becoming a sustainable and disaster-resilient urban center by the end of the decade.
The strategy focuses on improving disaster risk assessment and urban planning, strengthening coordination among municipal departments, investing in community resilience, improving disaster information systems and enhancing preparedness and early warning mechanisms.
The city also plans to establish a dedicated disaster risk reduction fund and explore partnerships with the private sector on risk-transfer and insurance products to strengthen its capacity to manage disasters.
Speaking at the same event, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Namibia Hopolang Phororo warned that the country could experience below-normal rainfall and above-average temperatures during the 2026/2027 rainy season as El Nino conditions intensify.
Phororo said the conditions could affect agriculture, water availability, food security and livelihoods, calling for early warnings to be translated into timely preparedness measures.
She added that the United Nations system in Namibia had helped mobilize more than 28 million U.S. dollars for climate and environmental priorities over the past year and provided drought-response assistance to more than 167,000 people.
The event was held under the theme "Resilience Starts at Home," emphasizing the role of households and communities in reducing disaster risks. ■