PEOPLE at relocation camps for flood victims in the Caprivi have complained of hunger since no flood relief food has been delivered to them since the weekend.
An anonymous sms sent to The Namibian said flood victims at Kabbe constituency have been left starving and that this could lead to deaths. ‘The councillor is napping. GRN [Government] please intervene’ the sms read.Caprivi Regional Governor, Lawrence Sampofu, on inquiry, dismissed the starvation allegations. He, however, did say the two boats transporting food to flooded areas have been broken since Saturday, but food was been delivered to the area last week.Sampofu said Regional Council asked for the assistance of the Namibian Defence Force helicopter to fly food to flood-affected people in Kabbe constituency.The helicopter is attached the Flood Emergency Management Coordination Office (Femco) for northern regions and is currently doing work there.He said the helicopter is needed as the two boats that were being used to transport flood victims (through the Zambezi River and flooded plains) broke down last weekend. ‘The boats are out of order and we are waiting for the helicopter. But it is not true that people are starving because they were supplied with food last week,’ said Sampofu.Sampofu explained that although they have three boats (a big one and two small ones), it is the smaller ones that ferry food to flood-affected people living in tents at Itomba, Nsundwa and Shukksmansburg. ‘The bigger boat does not come out of the water,’ he said.He said he has spoken to the Femco Coordinator Colonel Clement Mwala, who told him that as soon they are done with work in Oshakati area, they will immediately sent the helicopter to Kabbe.Sampofu said a total of 12 351 have been affected by floods in the Caprivi region.
