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NRSC responds to 2009 floods Heavy rain that pounded the northern regions of the country from the start of 2009 left many communities, especially in low lying areas flooded. Infrastructures such as roads, bridges, clinics, schools and businesses are affected. Apart from destroying houses, the flood submerged crop fields, and disrupted water supplies and sewage work. The flood adversely affected close to 300, 000 people. Namibia Red Cross Society through its local structures have mobilised some limited resources to assist people who are relocated to higher ground. Actions ranged from registrations, camp management, and provision of available relief materials, health and hygiene promotions and sanitation within the camps. Some relief items from Windhoek warehouse and Katima Mulilo warehouse have been transported to the north for distribution to the affected people. Training on how to operate boats was conducted in Omusati and Ohangwena Regions. These are boats that were received by Red Cross for 2008 year. The NRCS dispatched 375 Tarpaulins, 1920 Bar soaps, 736 Kitchen sets, 20 rolls of Plastic sheets, 720 Water containers, 20l jerry cans, 36000 water purification tablets, 150 water containers were sent also to Kavango to assist during the relocation of people at Sikondo village. The regional branch in Kunene has been working together with the Ministry of Health to help fight the cholera outbreak. Volunteers are involved in hygiene promotion in the villages. The Red Cross provided 3,000 water purification tablets in Kunene region. About 50 domestic latrines are in the process being constructed in the affected villages, as part of the Water and Sanitation project, in the villages affected by cholera. NRCS Secretary General and the Federation Representatives visited Kunene and the flood affected regions last week and talked to local authorities and volunteers on the progress of the response. The Society has limited materials to assist the relocated people and since the situation is still unfolding this present a very big challenge to the Society. Meanwhile, in the Caprivi region, the water of Kwando/Linyati river have, for the first time in several decades, joined up with those of Chobe river. As of yesterday (16 March), the water of the Zambezi has risen to 7.10 metres compared to 5.37 meters this time last year. This has resulted in massive crop losses in Kongola, Linyati, Sibinda and Katima rural constituencies. Heavy rains have also devastated crop fields in the high lands. According to the Namibian newspaper, about 2000 families have been hit by floods in the Kavango region and 66 families were evacuated recently to higher ground after their homesteads were flooded by the rising level of the Kavango River. Unlike last year when only some areas were flooded, this time around it is the whole region. The National Society applied for the DREF to assist 2,000 families with immediate needs and was allocated about 146,000 CHF
In view of the
situation and level of water in the area, the situation is
expected to last over three months. Therefore assistance is
needed in terms of some relief items to reduce the levels of
vulnerabilities. Required needs are: emergency shelter
materials, training volunteers on health and hygiene to do
social mobilisation, water purification tablets and
Figure 1:
Cuvelai water levels for 2009 as compared to 2008 levels
Figure 2:
Water levels at Oshakati.
Figure 3:
Water levels in the Zambezi River.
The levels are
higher than normal. This poses a threat to communities
living along the flood plains in the Caprivi Region. The
levels keep on rising at this stage. The levels at this
stage are higher than last years. The levels of the Kavango River are higher than usual. At this stage the only one community have been relocated to higher ground. About 105 people are in the camp. If the situation continues more people will be affected.
Figure 5: Flooded Road Network
Figure 7: Flooded
households in Ohangwena region: |
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Figure 6: Road networks flooded
