Otjihitua
Many subsistence farmers whose crop fields were submerged by heavy floodwaters in February in Ruacana are said to be entirely dependent on drought relief – and for those who qualify, on social grants such as the old age pension.
The heavy floods that hit the village of Otjihitua in Ruacana Constituency left 214 people relocated without food and shelter.
In total, 50 households comprising of 364 people were affected – however only 30 households were relocated.
The floods were caused by an overflow of water from the Caluque canal following heavy rains in neighbouring Angola as well as local rain at the time.
The water flowed from the canal into the village.
One of the affected victims, 91-year-old Ndara Rusianu related that his family of four depend entirely on drought relief and his pension for sustenance.
“I could not plough because my crop fields were flooded and my wife and children were relocated while I stayed to watch over our belongings,” said Rusianu.
Rusianu said he had not been able to plough for two years now since he relocated to Otjihoto in 2013.
Although Rusianu has put up his house in a floodplain, he is optimistic that if the canal does not overflow he will still be able to farm and produce enough food to sustain his family.
Another affected resident 67-year-old Fatima Joaqi narrated how her family of 12 depends on her pension and the social grant for her 32-year-old disabled son Tulitu Petrus.
Unlike Rusianu, Joaqi wants the councillor’s office to construct a toilet for Petrus. “I really need a toilet, because my son relieves himself in a hole I have dug in the house, but I know the situation is not healthy because there are several young children in the house,” said Joaqi.