When introducing a package of short-term drought relief measures in May 1995, the Cabinet simultaneously established a Task Force to draw up a national emergency and long term drought manangement policy and strategy. This was done in recognition of the fact that Namibia is an arid country where dry years are the norm. Declaring drought too frequently is expensive for the Government, can create dependency amongsst aid recipiants, and can promote resource degradation through inapropriate assistance.