Table_1_An Assessment of the 2015–2017 Drought in Windhoek.DOCX

Namibia is the most arid country in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Windhoek, the capital city, accelerated population growth and expanding economic activities, coupled with highly variable rainfall and multiyear droughts, have jeopardized water security and put enormous stress on socioeconomic development. This paper offers a review of the 2015–2017 drought and the responses that were implemented during it, with a focus on engagement with the public, industries, and public institutions to achieve water-saving targets. It also considers how the use of the Windhoek Drought Response Plan during the 2015–2017 drought furthered preparedness efforts for future droughts. The assessment ends with a discussion of government responses, challenges faced, and lessons learned—lessons that can hopefully pave the way for more effective responses to future drought situations in the country.

纳米比亚是撒哈拉以南非洲最干旱的国家。首都温得和克因人口加速增长、经济活动扩张，叠加降雨高度多变与多年干旱的影响，已然危及当地水安全，并给社会经济发展带来巨大压力。本文对2015—2017年干旱事件及其期间实施的各项应对举措展开综述，重点探讨了为达成节水目标而与公众、产业界及公共机构开展的协同行动。此外，本文还分析了2015—2017年干旱期间《温得和克干旱应对计划》（Windhoek Drought Response Plan）的应用如何进一步强化了该国未来干旱的备灾工作。本评估最终以对政府应对举措、面临的挑战及可汲取经验教训的讨论收尾——这些经验有望为该国未来更高效地应对干旱情势铺平道路。