APPROXIMATELY 8 646 pupils from 22 schools in the Ohangwena region are affected by floods, with 3 651 pupils prevented from attending school.
This was announced by Ohangwena chief regional officer Fillipus Shilongo at Oshikango on Monday.
He was speaking during a visit by prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to assist with the flood situation in the region.
So far, seven schools have been forced to shut, with a high possibility of six more closing, said Shilongo.
With 12 households in Ohaingu village in the Engela constituency surrounded by water, Shilongo said communities in the surrounding village are forced to wade through the water to access basic services such as education, health and commodities. “Mahangu fields in most villages are submerged,” he said.
The situation is being strictly monitored to ensure timely provision of humanitarian aid when required, he said.
Meanwhile, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in the affected areas have requested mosquito nets, and a local police station has also been affected by the floods.
“Police officers are requesting for their belongings to be lifted to high ground before they are submerged,” Shilongo said of the floods currently affecting the communities of Engela, Endola, Ongenga and Oshikango.
At the Ongenga constituency, five villages are currently affected.
Shilongo said Ouhongo and Omufituwanakashole villages have been identified as relocation sites.
Eight villages in the Endola constituency are affected, with six relocation sites identified at Onekwaya, Ongha, Omahenge, Ehafo, Omakango akapolo and Onamhinda villages, Shilongo said.
Seven villages in the Oshikango constituency are affected by the floods, and four tents and toilets have been provided to the flood victims.
“The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) provided two trucks to assist with the relocation of the affected communities, but unfortunately, they cannot reach some of the areas as they can easily get stuck in the mud,” Shilongo said.
INTERVENTIONS
According to Shilongo, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has been conducting awareness campaigns about the floods to sensitise and educate the community about water-borne diseases.
“An average of 5 000 water purification sachets and 30 mosquito nets were distributed to the affected communities, and 54 people in the affected areas were provided with psycho-social health education sessions,” Shilongo said.
