Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Windhoek (Agenzia Fides) – Over 700,000 people have been affected by heavy flooding in Namibia. Of these, 40,000 are homeless and in need of urgent assistance. The water levels of the Zambesi River have reached over 8 meters following the heavy rains of May, which have caused serious flooding in the north of the country.
The Regional Coordinator of Caritas, Sister Aine Hughes, on a recent visit to the affected area, said: “The majority of the houses and homesteads are built with clay bricks. They have been either partially or totally destroyed.” Due to the rapid rise of the water, some had to abandon everything with only the clothes they wore, leaving them totally destitute now. They are living in tents and makeshift shelters of plastic sheeting and do not have mattresses. Drinking water is hard to come by.
Caritas has launched an appeal, saying: “There is an urgent need for warm blankets and clothing for children, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, and extra food for infants. Caritas Namibia(NACADEC) is offering facilitate the distribution of these through its local structures where the many volunteers are offering their services.” As a result of the flooding, over 200 schools have been closed and 100,000 children have had to interrupt their schooling. Crops have been destroyed, leaving no harvest for the upcoming winter, health clinics have been forced to close, leaving people living with HIV at serious risk.
Local Caritas leaders say that climate changes seem to be the reason behind the disaster. “The impact of climate change is having more severe effects on vulnerable communities in these parts of the country, who are dependent on rain- fed agriculture and subsistence livelihoods. People here need to be able to mitigate against impact of climate change where possible and adapt to the variations in weather to secure their livelihoods. There are also some simple technologies such as the introduction of housing using ‘soil-cement’ bricks to withstand rain and water damage,” Sr. Hughes said. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 1/06/2009)
