Ohangwena governor Sebastian
Ndeitunga says the
region is ready to deal with
the imminent floods that faces the
region.
Ndeitunga says this in an interview
with the Confidente this week,
following reports that the annual
efundja floods have hit the Ohangwena.
The annual efundja floods hit
mostly the Omusati and Ohangwena
regions at intervals depending
on the rain which falls in southern
Angola, especially in the central
provinces of Huambo and Huila.
“The regional council is ready.
Just inform the nation to that effect,”
Ndeitunga told Confidente.
As per the former Namibian police
chief, Angolan authorities have
informed their counterparts in Namibia
about the floods.
“Already in January, we received
reports of possible floods hitting
our northern regions and we made
special arrangement within the regional
council to address and arrest
the situation as per the established
protocols,” he noted.
Ndeitunga noted that the Ohangwena
regional council has got a
regional emergency task tea which
deals with regional emergencies
such as floods and drought.
“The committee is well established
and its mandate is clear to
everyone to see. Regarding the
flood situation that you have asked,
we are ready about it and the whole
Ohangwena region shall receive assistance
regarding the situation,” he
stressed.
Ndeitunga stressed that the
Ohangwena regional council will
work together with different stakeholders
to deal with the situation.
“Health as well as the ministries
are our partners. The health ministry
will be carrying the responsibility
of the wellbeing of those who are
going to be relocated. Likewise, the
defense ministry, as per the constitution,
shall ensure that all Namibian
citizens whom find themselves
in precarious situations are assisted
by either relocation or simply getting
them out of the danger,” he
noted.
One of the flood prone areas
which always fall victim to the
floods in the Ohangwena region is
Onamhinda village. The village is
in the Oshikango constituency.
The efundja flood which hit
northern Namibia, originates from
southern Angola when the Cunene
River, which forms the frontier between
northern Namibia and Angola’s
southern Cunene province,
overflow its banks, flooding much
of Ohangwena and Omusati regions
of northern Namibia.
HELICOPTER
Oshana Regional Council has
secured a helicopter from the Namibian
Defence Force (NDF) to assist
in the distribution of food and
medical supplies to flood-affected
communities.
Elia Irimari, the Oshana Regional
Governor shared the news
with Confidente Newspaper on
Wednesday.
He emphasised the importance
of reaching those who are cutoff by
floodwaters.
While the entire region is prone
to flooding, Governor Irimari
pointed out that the constituencies
of Okatyali,
Ompundj a ,
and Uuvudhiya
were the most severely impacted.
These areas are especially,
affected by rising waters, preventing
residents from accessing basic
services such as healthcare, food,
and medical assistance.
“The helicopter will be a critical
tool in reaching those who are
stranded or otherwise unable to receive
vital relief,” said Irimari.
“These constituencies have been
blocked by floodwaters, and people
cannot access basic services. The
helicopter will help deliver essential
goods like food, medical supplies,
and other critical resources,” he
added.
The governor Irimari said farmers
and cattle herders in the affected
areas would also benefit from the
helicopter service.
Many of these farmers are struggling
to reach their livestock which
are dispersed across areas submerged
under water.
Irimari urged affected individuals
to drop off food parcels at the
Uukwangula warehouse and said
that additional distribution centers
have been set up at the constituency
offices in Ondangwa Urban,
Oshakati East, Uuvudhiya, and
Ompundja.
According to him, the region has
about a total 15 designated centers
where food and supplies will be delivered
for distribution.