Katima embarks on relocation strategy

KATIMA Mulilo plans to relocate households in the informal settlements that are at risk of flooding due to heavy rains.

Heavy rains experienced over the past weeks have flooded roads and yards, making it difficult for people living in the informal settlements to access their homes. The roads at Cowboy, Choto and Shackdwellers are all flooded.

Anna Sezuni, who resides at Choto, yesterday told The Namibian she is afraid her house will be flooded if the rains continue, as it is already surrounded by water.

“My house always gets flooded when we receive rains like this. Since I do not have anywhere else to go when my house is flooded, my valuables always get damaged. I hope the government will come to our rescue this year because it does not look like the rains will stop anytime soon,” she said.

Another resident of Cowboy, Aldrin Simasiku, told The Namibian yesterday that he too is afraid because if the rains continue his house will be completely under water.

“The rainy season is not a good time for my family, as all we do is stress because we are at risk of being flooded while we are sleeping. I really pray that the rain stops because we have nowhere to go,” he said.

When at Katima Mulilo rural constituency councillor John Mukaya visited the affected informal settlements last week to assess the damage caused by the rain, he observed that roads were mostly affected, while some houses were flooded.

He noted the need to relocate the affected households if the rain continues.

“We have not yet identified a relocation site. However, my office, along with the Katima Mulilo Town Council officials, will start strategising a relocation plan… We will also write a report to the Office of the Prime Minister, for assistance,” he said.

He further called upon the local business community to come on board and make donations, through the regional council, towards the anticipated relocation of the affected households.

“The donations can be anything, such as food items, tents, ablution facilities or anything else that can help in the relocation process. The government alone cannot be tasked to help those in crisis, therefore, any kind of assistance will be appreciated,” he added.

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