Flood victims receive food aid from OPM

WINDHOEK, 06 JAN (NAMPA) – More than 1 180 people whose homes were destroyed in a flash flood in Otjomuise’s Agste Laan informal settlement received food donations valued at N.dollars 403 000 from the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday.
The donation, facilitated by the Khomas Regional Council, will benefit 282 households affected by heavy rains on Saturday.
According to Khomas Chief Regional Officer, Clement Mafwila, 1 189 people in total were affected. Each household received a once-off food package consisting of five kilogrammes (kg) of rice, cooking oil, soya mince, tinned tuna and luncheon roll.
Plans to relocate the displaced families to higher ground are underway, Mafwila told journalists at the donation ceremony held at the Otjomuise Police Station.
“There must be accountability when it comes to these issues, beneficiaries are required to sign for these parcels,” Mafwila stressed.
On his part, Khomasdal Constituency Councillor Samuel Angolo said the identification of households was done by way of rapid assessments through the City of Windhoek’s Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Department.
A rapid assessment conducted by the City of Windhoek on Sunday indicates that the 282 households will be permanently relocated urgently. Tents will also be provided, in addition to the rebuilding of two community toilets destroyed by the flash floods.
The report further indicates that a family of seven was also left homeless after their shack was destroyed by flood water in Havana informal settlement. The house, the report indicates, was erected in a riverbed.
(NAMPA)
EB/AS