Torrential downpours that have caused flooding in the northern regions, exacerbated already challenging living conditions of mostly vulnerable families in flood-prone areas as many faces increasingly uncertain futures.
The floods have hit at a time when most people are already facing the triple threat of poverty and high unemployment. Although the unrelenting floods have just recently hit the Oshana region, it has been causing major havoc in the Ohangwena region for the past month. According to statistics from the Ohangwena Regional Council, over 1 300 families are affected by the floods, of which 14 households and 116 people were relocated to higher grounds.
So far, six schools in the region have closed, subsequently leaving 4 146 learners trapped in their homes. Not only has it claimed the life
of a 27-year-old man, Erastus Lukolo, from the Endola area, but access roads, buildings, and houses are also swept away while hundreds of livestock have died.
The disaster has certainly threatened food security and livelihoods as many mahangu fields are destroyed.
“I am left with nothing, but the clothes I am currently wearing. As you can see, my mahangu field is underwater, I have lost three goats while six have gotten lost and all my chickens are dead,” said Gideon Nghishidimbwa from Oshikango while standing in front of his family’s home.
Magano Sakeus (70) who is also affected by the floods, said it destroyed her house and she is frightened that after the disaster is over, she might face severe poverty.
“I have lost almost everything I owned and right now my grandchildren and I are living on handouts,” she added.
Spokesperson of the regional council, Silas Nepembe said some areas are inaccessible and have become islands at this stage
“Some villages are no longer accessible by road, such as Onghala and Oimbadalunga, as a result, some patients who were supposed to receive their medication could not receive it, since the ministry of health outreach team couldn’t reach there,” reported Nepembe.
He further reported an incident where a patient from Oimbadalunga was reported for evacuation on the 22 January 2023 but due to difficulties to access the village, the officials from the health ministry only came to his rescue after five days.
“Unfortunately, the patient passed on a few hours after arriving in Engela District Hospital,” he said.
Although the region has activated its disaster risk management unit, which provides assistance to those affected, Nepembe has noted that some community members are resistant to move to higher grounds fearing their belongings to be stolen and vandalised. Nepembe said they are, however, grateful to donor organisations and local communities who had extended a helping hand to the displaced by providing food, water and clothing.
Government officials, including Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, information minister Peya Mushelenga, and many others have visited the affected areas to assess the situation and find possible ways to intervene.
“We sent our teams to all regions to get an appreciation of the nature of the disasters in different regions. On the basis of that, we are going to build a resilient strategy that is not a one-size fits all but is going to respond to the peculiar situations in each region,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila earlier this week while visiting flood affected areas.
Yesterday, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani donated mattresses and tents worth N$30 000 to assist those relocated.
He said the closure of schools due to flooding is not a solution and that the government should consider acquiring rubber boats to transport learners to and from schools.
Interventions
The regional councils are working with other stakeholders to develop and roll out a flood data collection mechanism to capture the extent of the inundation and the number of victims, including those displaced.
It is also conducting awareness campaigns to sensitize and educate the affected communities on the effects of floods, including water-borne diseases. A number of water purification sachets and mosquito nets have also been distributed to affected communities. In addition, the ministry of health will offer psychosocial support to flood victims.
“The outreach health team treated 85 patients and immunized 35 children as from 23 January 2023,” said Nepembe.
The flood has affected the communities of Engela, Ongenga, Endola, Oshikango, Ohangwena, Omulonga constituencies.
According to the Namibia Hydrological Services, the water levels in the main oshanas south of the Angola/Namibia border are rising. As of the 27 January 2023, water levels at Engela station exceeded the 1m mark. This means flood levels keep increasing, therefore more water is expected.