The northern regions of Namibia, especially Ohangwena and parts of Omusati, have once again suffered severe flooding as water from Angola’s canals and rivers flows into the country.
The floodwater, commonly known as efundja, have flooded low-lying regions, blocking access routes and disturbing daily activities. Oshikango, in the Ohangwena region, is among the most affected, with water levels still rising in certain areas.
The situation has also disrupted essential services, with several schools forced to close due to inaccessible roads and flooded surroundings. Learners and teachers cannot attend classes as transport routes remain cut off in affected areas.
Furthermore, access to healthcare is often a significant difficulty during flood periods, as residents find it hard to reach hospitals and clinics when roads are flooded. In such cases, patients are usually transported by government helicopters, which generally only reach affected areas once or twice a week.
In some cases, residents resort to using donkey carts to cross flooded areas, particularly where the water is deep, especially when transporting sick individuals who are unable to walk long distances.
In response to the recurring flooding, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has once again called on communities living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground.
She stressed that traditional authorities should make land available in safer locations to enable the permanent resettlement of affected residents, moving them away from flood-prone areas.
The goal is to minimise repeated displacements, safeguard livelihoods, and ease the pressure on emergency services.
Despite the President’s call, it appears some traditional authorities have not provided enough public communication about the relocation process, leaving affected communities uncertain about how to proceed.
Some residents say they are still unsure about the procedures and are waiting for guidance or formal registration processes to commence.
Olivia Mowoonde, a resident of Ohangwena, said many people were unaware that they must take the initiative to apply themselves.
“We have just been waiting to be registered, but now we hear that we must apply on our own. I will try to follow all the instructions because I am tired of the floods,” she said.
Affected residents are advised to submit written applications to local authorities and traditional leadership structures requesting land allocation in flood free areas, with land to be allocated at no cost.
Speaking in an interview, Toivo Shiweda, a member of the Oukwanyama Traditional Committee, said the process has not yet taken off as expected due to a lack of formal applications from residents.
“Our challenge is that we have not yet received requests from people willing to relocate. Without those applications, it becomes difficult for us to proceed with allocating land,” he explained.
Shiweda added that although land in higher areas is available, traditional authorities cannot act without written requests from residents expressing their willingness to relocate.
He noted that once applications are submitted, the committee will engage with the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, led by Queen Martha Mwadinhomo, to deliberate and make final decisions on land allocation.
“Affected residents are urged to submit written applications to local authorities and traditional leadership structures requesting land allocation in areas that are not prone to flooding, with land to be allocated at no cost,” he said.
The ongoing flooding continues to emphasise the importance of better coordination between government, traditional authorities, and communities to ensure that relocation efforts progress from policy to practical implementation, as the region continues to face annual efundja challenges.
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