Floods in the former Ovamboland have displaced more than 65000 people, Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila said. Amathila said the government will spend N$65 million over the next three months feeding displaced people. “More people are expected to be displaced as flood waters are showing little sign of receding,” she said. A number of schools in the region have closed because of the floods, she said in Parliament.

Volunteers assist the army in constructing a temporary bridge over the Engela River. (Pic: Shebeen website)

At least 29 people have died in the five regions of the country that have recently been hit by floods, a joint Government of Namibia, United Nations and the National Red Cross Society report also said this week.
At the time the report was compiled, 11 people had died in Omusati, 13 in Ohangwena, one in Oshikoto and four in Caprivi. Kavango and Oshana regions had not yet registered any deaths.
“It is particularly worrisome that cholera and other related diarrhoeal diseases are classified as communicable therefore increasing the risk of transmission and increased risk of morbidity.
“As the situation remains relatively dynamic with growing numbers of affected people, there is concern about the adequacy of medical supplies being sufficient,” the report said.
The report further said there has also been interruptions in the ARVs, nutrition and vaccination programmes managed by health authorities in the affected regions.
The report said while there is minimal damage reported of health infrastructure facilities, the major issue at this time was the inaccessibility to these facilities.
The Ministry of Health has mandated the National Health Emergency Management Committee (NHEMC) to monitor, evaluate the ground situation and give support where necessary.