Kapako flood victims gradually return to their homes

RUNDU, 26 MAY- Some flood victims in the Kapako constituency who were relocated to higher ground and into tents in the Kavango West Region have gradually returned to their respective homes. This was confirmed on Wednesday by constituency councillor Johannes Karonda, who said the floods in his constituency affected 700 homes in three villages and as a result, 27…

RUNDU, 26 MAY (NAMPA) – Some flood victims in the Kapako constituency who were relocated to higher ground and into tents in the Kavango West Region have gradually returned to their respective homes.

This was confirmed on Wednesday by constituency councillor Johannes Karonda, who said the floods in his constituency affected 700 homes in three villages and as a result, 27 tents were erected where they were relocated to.

The councillor said around 300 flood victims are still in the tents.

“The majority of the flood victims started going back on their own after they realised that it is safe to go back and we permitted that,” he said.

Karonda said inspections were done before flood victims returned to their homes in the affected villages of Mafugu, Sikondo and Nakazaza, noting that the areas are no longer flooded.

He pointed out that those still staying in tents as well as those who have returned to their homes will receive their last round of food parcels this week.

Karondo said his office has however motivated them to permanently move to higher ground in order to avoid similar incidents next year.

According to the councillor, many agreed to make plans to move permanently.

The flood, which was first experienced in February this year, destroyed residents’ ploughing fields and personal belongings.

The floods also blocked roads leading to the Hakusembe River Lodge in the same vicinity as these were submerged by water, prompting lodge owners to carry visitors by boats to and from their business operation.

The majority of people accommodated in the tents are children, women and the elderly, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform provided water in tanks to the flood victims.

Sixty-year-old flood victim Maria Haisindi who also returned to her home said they can finally look past the terrible floods and the destruction caused.

She said they are still vulnerable as lack of food will continue to be a challenge while they try to reconstruct their homes.

(NAMPA)

SH/EK/AS