The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has confirmed that there is enough food in stock at the regional warehouse in the Oshana Region to provide for flood victims.

This statement was made in a media release issued by the Executive Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, I-Ben Nashandi, on Wednesday. Nashandi stated that around 327 individuals had been relocated from the affected areas to the Ehenye relocation centre in the Oshana Region. The Regional Risk Management Committee has implemented measures to ensure that residents affected by flooding in Oshaoopala township were relocated.

“We acknowledge that we have not met all the needs of flood victims at the Ehenye or other relocation centres in the north. However, the OPM is in constant communication with all regional authorities on the ground,” said Nashandi.

He said all procured items and donations received have been accounted for and have reached flood victims in the Ohangwena, Oshana, and Omusati regions. This includes 100 mosquito nets delivered to the Ehenye relocation centre in Oshana.

“The claims of starvation and lack of basic amenities at the relocation centres are refuted by strong evidence we have received from the regional government, our own assessments, and information from the Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee,” Nashandi added.

The executive director said that based on the OPM’s records, it would like to dispel any concerns regarding starvation as food is distributed to affected families on a daily basis.

The OPM’s statement came in response to local newspaper reports that relocated flood victims in the Oshana Region were complaining about starvation.

Nashandi also said concern has been raised about residents from Oshaoopala being relocated every year. He said the Oshakati Town Council is in the process of relocating individuals from flood-prone areas.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency