Namibia National Drought Policy

Namibia is an arid country. 22 per cent of Namibia can be classified as desert, having a mean annual rainfall of less than 100 mm, 33 per cent classified as arid, with a mean annual rainfall of between 100 and 300 mm, 37 per cent classified as semi-arid, with a mean annual rainfall of between 301 and 500 mm, and 8 per cent as sub-humid, with a mean annual rainfall of between 501 and 700 mm. Associated with these low rainfall figures are high evapotranspiration rates and a high degree of variation from year to year, including a few years of exceptionally high and low rainfall, as well as variable rainfall distribution patterns within a year. Human endeavour must adapt to this reality.