Villagers in Caprivi at risk

THE waters of the Zambezi River, which reached Katima Mulilo in the Caprivi Region over 10 days ago, are now pouring into the floodplains near Ngoma bridge and towards the Bukalo channel on their way to Lake Liambezi.

Chief Hydrologist in the Agriculture Ministry Guido van Langenhove, the water levels in the floodplains are now at their highest and villagers surrounded by water need to be rescued.’Water from the Chobe River, which normally flows into the Zambezi River, is pushed westwards as the Zambezi is so full and the level of the Chobe at the Ngoma gate east of Katima remains unchanged at 4,87 metres,’ Van Langenhove says in his latest report. Floodwater at the Bukalo bridge remains nearly a metre high at 0,97m while the water level at Lake Liambezi near Muyako had risen by seven centimetres to 2,82 m by late Sunday.President Hifikepunye Pohamba declared an emergency in the six flood-stricken regions last month and appealed for international assistance. Government has so far allocated N$109 million for flood relief and has established 21 relocation camps to host displaced people. Government, in collaboration with regional authorities, has to date distributed 838 tents, 175 tarpaulins and about 2 000 blankets in the six affected regions, according to the latest UN situation report over the weekend. Government has also funded the installation of about 20 pit latrines and bathing facilities in the relocation centres, and distributed around 140 000 water purification tablets so far. UN agencies have made some funds available for the flood response, but additional resources are required. To support and complement the Government in its response, the international humanitarian community launched a flash appeal seeking US$2,7 million (about N$25 m) to address the immediate and medium-term humanitarian needs of up to 350 000 affected people. The appeal is based on the current outstanding needs and response gaps jointly identified by Government, UN and humanitarian partners. The UN Namibia country team has applied to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to cover immediate needs. Further assessments are ongoing in all the affected areas. UN Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination (UNDAC) and EU Civil Protection (MIC) teams arrived in Namibia on March 27 and are currently assessing the situation in the six regions. According to the latest UNDAC report, Government also bought 43 motorised and paddle boats to transport relief goods and to evacuate people to higher ground.Government is also providing food assistance and decided to extend its food scheme in the affected areas, including the relocation camps.The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has allocated N$1,2 million in the past few days from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Namibian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in delivering immediate assistance to households in need of shelter, basic medicines, water purification and sanitation. The NRCS appealed for a further N$5,2 million to assist Government. The US Government has made NS$500 000 available for boats and the distribution of relief items, while Germany contributed NS$3,1 million. Meanwhile, donations from local business and organisations keep pouring in. The Bank of Namibia last week donated N$400 000 and the Pupkewitz Group gave N$100 000.