No more free meals for Dolam victims

FLOOD victims who have been living in the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura since the beginning of the year will have to buy and cook their own food as from today.

Yesterday, an official from the City of Windhoek’s Emergency Unit told them that the supper they were served last night would be their last free meal. “They have told us we they will no longer give us food from tomorrow,” Claudia Namises – one of the affected residents – told The Namibian late yesterday.The municipality has been feeding the 14 families since they moved into the football stadium on January 5, after their houses in Katutura’s Dolam location were flooded.The municipality cleaned and disinfected the houses two weeks ago and wants the people to move back, but they have refused.The residents are adamant that they will only go back if the City does something to prevent further flooding.They blame the construction of the new stadium for causing the flooding.Norman Tjombe, the Director of the Legal Assistance Centre, which is giving the residents legal advice, described the City’s decision to stop feeding the people as “absolutely unacceptable.”Tjombe said these were vulnerable people whom the City should continue helping.”They are getting this food because of a natural disaster,” he said.”They have told us we they will no longer give us food from tomorrow,” Claudia Namises – one of the affected residents – told The Namibian late yesterday.The municipality has been feeding the 14 families since they moved into the football stadium on January 5, after their houses in Katutura’s Dolam location were flooded.The municipality cleaned and disinfected the houses two weeks ago and wants the people to move back, but they have refused.The residents are adamant that they will only go back if the City does something to prevent further flooding.They blame the construction of the new stadium for causing the flooding.Norman Tjombe, the Director of the Legal Assistance Centre, which is giving the residents legal advice, described the City’s decision to stop feeding the people as “absolutely unacceptable.”Tjombe said these were vulnerable people whom the City should continue helping.”They are getting this food because of a natural disaster,” he said.