65 000 affected by floods

AT least 65 000 people have now been hit by floods swamping northern Namibia, and Government needs more than N$61,2 million over the next three months to feed those affected.

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Libertina Amathila in Parliament yesterday. Amathila noted that the number of flood victims had increased from 62 000 and 65 000 with more people expected to be displaced as the floodwaters are showing little sign of receding.So far 4 000 people from the worst affected areas have been relocated.Amathila said more schools were closing because of rising water levels.She also warned that towns like Oshakati were “overcrowded for relocation”, and new areas would have to be found for the displaced.Some of the flood victims are presently accommodated at Oshakati’s Independence Stadium and the Ongwediva Trade Fair.Two more relocation centres were recently opened at Oshakati and Ongwediva to ease the pressure on the Independence Stadium and the Ongwediva Trade Fair.However, health concerns have been expressed because of the overcrowded conditions at these centres, as more people were left homeless.Declaring the floods in the North and northeastern regions as an emergeny on March 5, President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the temporary shelters at Ongwediva and Oshakati had become a serious health threat and that “there were fears of a disease outbreak”.During his visit to the North last week he urged those who had been displaced to maintain hygienic conditions at these temporary resettlement areas.The Head of State called on the international community to assist with blankets, food and tents in the short term, while serious reconstruction of bridges, schools and medical facilities will be needed in the long run.Apart from displacing people, the floods have also led to a cholera outbreak at Engela in the Ohangwena Region.In the midst of the cholera outbreak, which so far had claimed at least two lives, health officials last week announced a shortage of water purification tablets.Government had so far supplied food worth N$221 000 to the needy while non-food items have amounted to N$5,3 million.The private sector has donated N$690 000 in kind and N$1,13 million in cash.”These donations exclude the numerous donations made by the private sector to the Namibia Red Cross Society and the Namibia Disaster Relief Fund,” Deputy Prime Minister Amathila said during her address to Parliament yesterday.The social and economic impact of the floods would cost Government dearly, Amathila told the House.Opposition MP Nora Schimming-Chase proposed that each MP should donate N$1 000 to the relief effort, which would total in N$78 000.The Speaker, Theo-Ben Gurirab, said that was a good proposal but donations should be voluntary.floodsAmathila noted that the number of flood victims had increased from 62 000 and 65 000 with more people expected to be displaced as the floodwaters are showing little sign of receding.So far 4 000 people from the worst affected areas have been relocated.Amathila said more schools were closing because of rising water levels. She also warned that towns like Oshakati were “overcrowded for relocation”, and new areas would have to be found for the displaced.Some of the flood victims are presently accommodated at Oshakati’s Independence Stadium and the Ongwediva Trade Fair.Two more relocation centres were recently opened at Oshakati and Ongwediva to ease the pressure on the Independence Stadium and the Ongwediva Trade Fair.However, health concerns have been expressed because of the overcrowded conditions at these centres, as more people were left homeless.Declaring the floods in the North and northeastern regions as an emergeny on March 5, President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the temporary shelters at Ongwediva and Oshakati had become a serious health threat and that “there were fears of a disease outbreak”.During his visit to the North last week he urged those who had been displaced to maintain hygienic conditions at these temporary resettlement areas.The Head of State called on the international community to assist with blankets, food and tents in the short term, while serious reconstruction of bridges, schools and medical facilities will be needed in the long run.Apart from displacing people, the floods have also led to a cholera outbreak at Engela in the Ohangwena Region.In the midst of the cholera outbreak, which so far had claimed at least two lives, health officials last week announced a shortage of water purification tablets.Government had so far supplied food worth N$221 000 to the needy while non-food items have amounted to N$5,3 million.The private sector has donated N$690 000 in kind and N$1,13 million in cash.”These donations exclude the numerous donations made by the private sector to the Namibia Red Cross Society and the Namibia Disaster Relief Fund,” Deputy Prime Minister Amathila said during her address to Parliament yesterday.The social and economic impact of the floods would cost Government dearly, Amathila told the House.Opposition MP Nora Schimming-Chase proposed that each MP should donate N$1 000 to the relief effort, which would total in N$78 000.The Speaker, Theo-Ben Gurirab, said that was a good proposal but donations should be voluntary.floods