Flood Relief to Northern Regions in Full Swing

Oswald Shivute

4 April 2011

ASSISTANCE to flood victims in the North started on Friday, but the distributing teams are complaining about a shortage of transport, says Oshana governor Klemens Kashuupulwa.

They say the four helicopters, three inflatable boats and one Police Land Cruiser with a boat trailer are not enough for the distribution of aid and transportation of people isolated by the floods.

Kashuupulwa said the Flood Emergency Coordinator’s Office for all six northern regions will open at Oshakati today.

This office, headed by retired NDF Colonel Clement Mwaala, who is now the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, is usually based in Windhoek but has moved to Oshakati to be closer to the action.

According to Kashuupulwa, all the regions need tents, food, blankets, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, lifejackets, gel or gas stoves and fuel, water-purification tablets, toilet paper, jerry cans for water, refuse bags for relocation centres, mattresses for affected schools and toiletries.

He said they are appealing for donations and have received several contributions from the private sector already.

People relocated to flood centres are complaining that food aid is not reaching them.

The governor said the first donations from individual companies would be distributed to schools where teachers and children are camping.

Once larger consignments of food aid are received from the Prime Minister’s office, these would be distributed to flood relocation centres, where orphans and vulnerable children will be the priority, he promised.

“This will be soon,” said Kashuupulwa.

He added that those in flood centres can still survive as they were surviving when they were at their homes in the informal settlements.

With regard to villagers whose homesteads and mahangu fields have been destroyed, Kashuupulwa said regional councillors and community leaders are assessing the damage and will report to the Flood Emergency Coordinator.

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