P 181459Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0406
INFO AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 
SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
CDC ATLANTA GA 0212
USEU BRUSSELS
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE UNCLAS WINDHOEK 000095 
 
 
STATE FOR AF/S 
STATE PASS TO AID FOR AFR/SA AND DCHA/OFDA 
OFDA FOR PMORRIS, CCHAN, ACONVERY, LPOWERS, TDENYSENKO, HSHEPPARD 
PRETORIA FOR HHALE, TROGERS 
 
AIDAC 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS:          
SUBJECT:  Disaster declaration: Namibia-severe flooding in northern 
and north eastern regions 
 
Ref: A) Windhoek 70 
      B) Regional office of foreign disaster assistance trip 
        notes, March 10 - 13, 2009 
 
-------------------------- 
Summary and action request 
-------------------------- 
 
 1. This is an action cable.  See paras 2 and 8. 
 
 2.  On March 17, 2009, the President of the Republic of Namibia 
(GRN) declared a disaster and issued a request for international 
assistance for the flood-affected northern and northeastern regions 
of the country: Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Kavango and 
Caprivi.  Based on the GRN's disaster declaration and the continuing 
deterioration of conditions in the northern and northeastern 
regions, the Ambassador declares a humanitarian emergency of 
significant magnitude to warrant USG assistance and requests USD 
50,000 under the Chief of Mission's (COM) authority to respond to 
the most urgent requirements. USAID/Namibia will provide a grant to 
the Namibian Red Cross Society (NRCS), an NGO with significant 
relief and rehabilitation experience that is working with the GRN in 
the flood affected areas. USAID/Namibia will collaborate with the 
USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) and the 
Food for Peace Office (USAID/FFP) to monitor the situation. COM may 
request additional assistance beyond emergency assistance based on 
GRN-identified needs.  End summary and action request. 
 
---------------------------- 
Events leading to emergency 
---------------------------- 
 
 3. Since January 2009, Namibia has experienced heavy rainfall, 
particularly in the northern and northeastern regions of the 
country. Flood waters from southern Angola have aggravated the 
situation.  During January and February persistent rains, compounded 
by heavy rainfall in the neighboring countries of Angola and Zambia, 
resulted in flooding in the Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, 
Kavango and Caprivi regions. The affected areas are 700-900 
kilometers north and northeast of Windhoek.  According to the latest 
GRN assessment report, 92 people were killed during the floods. 
Approximately 300,000 people have been affected. Difficulty in 
accessing many parts of the affected regions makes these figures 
tentative. Many people have been or are being evacuated to higher 
ground and temporary housing. According to the report, nearly 12,000 
persons have sought shelter in relocation camps in the affected 
regions. 
 
 4.  The floods forced the closure of 218 schools affecting 100,000 
students, and 45 clinics in the northern regions are inaccessible. 
While the floods are posing health hazards and there is fear of 
water-borne disease (e.g. cholera) outbreaks and increased incidence 
of malaria, the assessment reported no increase in either. The 
report does note the disruption of such health services as 
immunization, antiretroviral therapy and treatment of illnesses and 
expresses concern about sewage systems in some communities 
overflowing, thus exposing surrounding populations to health risks. 
The assessment report also expresses concern regarding the lack of 
adequate clean water and sanitation facilities in most relocation 
camps.  Extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, 
bridges, schools, clinics and housing has been reported. Eighty-five 
percent of gravel roads in the flood affected areas have been 
damaged. Economic infrastructure and activities have been affected 
negatively, forcing small businesses to close, resulting in loss of 
trade opportunities and unemployment. For the second year in a row 
it is likely that much of the mahanghu (sorghum) crops and 
significant food reserves in the affected regions have been 
destroyed and the inhabitants are likely facing dire food shortages. 
Further assessments of crop losses and food security are expected in 
the near future. 
 
 5. The GRN has demonstrated its willingness and capacity to respond 
to affected citizens' needs. A flood emergency management 
coordinating office was established in Oshakati to coordinate relief 
efforts. The Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management in the 
Prime Minister's office conducted flood damage assessments in the 
northern and northeastern regions to gauge the extent of damage to 
infrastructure and threat to human lives. The directorate monitored 
the situation and assisted people affected by the floods by 
providing food and emergency housing. Populations in the low-lying 
communities affected by the flooding were evacuated to higher ground 
and resettlement centers. The Namibian Red Cross is active in the 
flooded areas and is providing assistance in the resettlement camps 
registering people, arranging medical services and providing 
non-food items. The President of Namibia appealed to development 
partners and the private sector to supplement limited government 
resources and asked for motorized boats, medicine, water 
purification tools, mosquito nets and food. 
 
------------------------- 
USAID/Namibia monitoring 
------------------------- 
 
 6. USAID has maintained regular contact with the Southern Africa 
Regional Office/USAID/DCHA/OFDA. Regional Office of Foreign Disaster 
Assistance (OFDA) and USAID officers visited the northern regions 
during March 10 - 13 and provided a report and recommendations to 
the Embassy, USAID and OFDA. USAID constantly monitors press reports 
and has been in regular contact with the Namibia Red Cross Society 
and the disaster emergency management directorate in the Prime 
Minister's office. 
 
------------------- 
Humanitarian needs 
------------------- 
 
 7. The USG will respond through a grant to the Namibian Red Cross 
Society (NRCS) to meet selected specific needs identified by the GRN 
and NRCS officers in the field. USG assistance will be coordinated 
with the GRN Directorate of Emergency and Disaster Management to 
ensure it meets priority needs. 
 
 8. Based on reports from the GRN, the Namibia Red Cross Society and 
the press, we anticipate that the most critical humanitarian needs 
identified by the GRN will be for shelter, food, medicine, water and 
sanitation and water transport. It is anticipated that development 
partners may receive GRN requests for assistance beyond emergency 
needs, in particular rehabilitation needs, to address the damage and 
shortages caused by two successive years of heavy flooding. 
USAID/Namibia will collaborate with USAID/OFDA and USAID/FFP to 
determine and plan for a USG assistance package if additional USG 
assistance is required based on identified humanitarian and 
infrastructure rehabilitation needs. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Declaration of humanitarian emergency 
------------------------------------- 
 
 9. Based on the current situation and ongoing needs   resulting from 
the severe flooding in the north and northeastern regions of 
Namibia, and the GRN's disaster declaration and international appeal 
for help, I declare that a humanitarian emergency of such magnitude 
that it is beyond the ability of the GRN to adequately respond has 
occurred and that it is in the interest of the USG to provide 
assistance to flood-affected populations. I hereby request USD 
50,000 under the Chief of Mission's (COM) authority to respond to 
the most urgent requirements. 
 
 
MATHIEU