POST-DISASTER FLOODS NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2009 A Report Prepared by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, with Support from the International Community POST-DISASTER FLOODS NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2009 A Report Prepared by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, with Support from the International Community FOREWORD In March of 2009, torrential rains across Angola, Namibia, and Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Italy, the People’s Zambia increased water levels in the Chobe, Kunene, Kavango Republic of China, Spain, United States, United Nations and Zambezi Rivers to such an extent that the north-central Central Emergency Response Fund ,the United Nations High and north-eastern Regions of Namibia experienced the Commission for Refugees and the World Food Programme. worst flooding in decades. The damage affected an area that is home to 60 percent of the total population, destroying critical Immediately following the relief efforts, the National Planning infrastructure, washing away crops and livestock, damaging Commission of the Government of the Republic of Namibia homes, and causing widespread displacement. Many of those requested the World Bank, through the Global Fund for affected by the 2009 floods, in fact, had not recovered fully Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery, to undertake a Post- from the impact of the heavy rainfalls in 2008 that had also Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in coordination with the caused flooding, similar destruction and displacement of United Nations and European Commission in order to assist people. the Government. This was the first step towards developing a holistic approach to recovery and reconstruction efforts, In the aftermath of the flooding, the Government of Namibia and also aimed to provide the Government with options immediately mobilized emergency assistance to meet the for working towards longer term, sustainable disaster risk most pressing needs of people in the affected Regions. reduction. The 2009 floods highlight the importance of The Government of the Republic of Namibia allocated reducing risks in Namibia, particularly as the country is N$109 million towards the response effort and established predicted to face a greater likelihood of extreme weather 110 temporary camps in the six affected Regions (Caprivi, conditions affecting temperatures and precipitations patterns Kavango, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto) to due to climate change. house the displaced population. The regional authorities set up and administered the camps, installing pit latrines, showers/ This assessment report provides a clear analysis of the extent bathing facilities and basic water supplies. Officials also made of the damages and losses caused by the devastating floods, available non-food items (tents, tarpaulins, blankets, water- the hardship suffered by the people, as well as the adverse purification tablets, and mosquito nets) for the dislocated impacts this had on the economy and the environment. communities. Logistics, airlifting capacity as well as vehicles and Furthermore, it identifies financing needs required to motor boats, were provided by the Government, through the formulate comprehensive early recovery actions, implement various line ministries. The private sector also contributed to medium-term recovery and reconstruction plans, and develop the Government’s efforts by providing new vehicles and other a long-term risk management and reduction strategy. items. Donors provided immediate assistance amounting to some US$36 million, a gesture that is highly appreciated. The The Government of Namibia would like to thank the PDNA Government is continuing to provide food assistance to the team for their swift response to the request for assistance, displaced population in the camps, and has decided to extend for the dedication shown throughout the assessment, and for the food assistance scheme until the affected people are able the quality of this report. The PDNA offers an outstanding to return to their homes. example of effective coordination between various development partners, specifically the WorldB ank, the United The disaster response has been coordinated nationally by the Nations, the European Commission, the United States Agency Directorate of Disaster Risk Management (DDRM), within the for International Development, and the Government of the Office of the Prime Minister, and regionally by the Regional Republic of Namibia. Councils through the Regional Emergency Management Units. In the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Oshikoto Regions, Finally, our sincere appreciation is extended to the Global the Government activated the Flood Emergency Management Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) for Coordination Office (FEMCO) in order to coordinate the relief facilitating this analysis and compiling the report. assistance. The National Planning Commission in the Office of the President has worked to ensure effective coordination Professor Peter H. Katjavivi with the international community, working hand-in-hand with Director General the civil society and the private sector. National Planning Commission Office of the President These efforts were complemented by international donors, Republic of Namibia such as Austria, Botswana, Estonia, the Federation of Russia, Representing the Government of the Republic of Namibia Finland, France, Germany, the International Federation of ii NAMIBIA POST-DISASTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report was prepared by the Government of the Republic PDNA Core Team: International of Namibia, with support from members of the international Community community, including the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank, and a wider network of development The international community core team included: Roberto partners. Jovel, Francis Muraya, Doekle Geert Wielinga (GFDRR), Guido Lemoine, Andrea Gerhardinger (EU/JRC), Noro In the weeks following the devastating floods of 2009, initial Aina Andriamihaja, Pedro Arlindo, Sofia Bettencourt, damage assessments were conducted by the Government Karsten Feuerriegel, IJsbrand de Jong, Sheila Dutta, Brent of the Republic of Namibia, and assisted by a team from the Hampton, Erin Hansell, Zahra Hassanali, Larisa Leshchenko, United Nations. The results of these assessments provided a Stephen Ling, Eugenia Marinova, Tesfamichael Nahusenay, basis for immediate response and short-term recovery. Patrice Rakotoniaina, Tojoarofeitra Ramankirahna, Mahefaa Randrianalijahona, Hasimahery Randrianosolo, John Steytler After the initial humanitarian relief phase, the Government (World Bank),), and Patrick Diskin (USAID), as well various initiated a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which UN agencies, including Puji Pujiono (UNDP), Admir Bay was overseen by the Peter Katjavivi, Director General, National (FAO), Boshigo Matlou (ILO), Pierre Bry (OCHA), Robert Planning Commission of the Office of the President, supported Bennoun, Gloria Billy, Elina Titus, David Faustinus (UNAIDS), by Ruth Kagia, Country Director of the World Bank, Simon Megan Carolus, McDonald Kadzatsa, Lebogang Motlana, Mfaro Nhongo, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Joyce Moyo, Mkwetu Mweutota (UNDP), Edem Adubra, Matthias Mends-Cole, Acting United Nations Resident Coordinator. Lansard, Melanie Seto (UNESCO), Fabian Byomuhangi, Pandu The PDNA team is indebted to the initial evaluation teams for Hailonga, Jonathan Ndzi, Sakaria Nikodemus (UNFPA), George their guidance and assistance. Kozonguizi, Fredrick Kustaa, Hosea Mahua, Eduardo Seuerake, Kamanja Tjatjitua (UN-Habitat), Maria Vakeni (UNHCR), The entire process was facilitated by the Global Facility for Ian Macleod, Elaine Bainard, Gunder Edstrom, Fritz Etienne, , Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction (GFDRR) and the Ahmed Madar, Tabit Tambwe, Nolan Van Der Ross (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme’s Bureau for Crisis Jan Kellet, Maude Mugisha, Emma Sitambuli (UN-ORC), Baton Prevention and Recovery, with substantial financial support Osmani, Paula Hidalgo Sanchis (WFP), Magda Robalo, Petrus from the European Commission’s “Instrument for Stability”, Mhata, Innocent Mwesigye, and Desta Tiruneh (WHO). the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the World Bank, the United Nations and the Government of the Republic of Namibia. PDNA Assistance PDNA Coordinators The mission was assisted in the field by Erika Odendaal (World Bank) and Lemmy Kapinka (World Bank) and from The PDNA was coordinated by Michael Mutonga (National Pretoria by Sandeep Mahajan (World Bank), Sarwat Hussain Planning Commission) and Japhet Iitenge (Directorate for (World Bank), and Juan Gaviria (World Bank). The report was Disaster Risk Management) assisted by a team from the designed by Leon Heyns (FEMCO), Virginia Arnecchi (UNDP) international community that was led by Jean-Christophe and assembled by Anna O’Donnell (GFDRR). Carret (World Bank) and Seth Vordzorgbe (United Nations Development Programme). Photographs used in this publication were taken by the PDNA team and the various members of the Government of the Republic of Namibia. PDNA Core Team: Government The team from the Government of the Republic of Namibia included: Gerson Tsamaseb, Linda Munsu, Shikupe Meroro, Benson Matali, Ervin Nahafingo, Veikko Shigwedha, Peter Muteyali, Olimpio Nhuleipo, Sofia Nekongo, Lahja Nqhipandula, Guido van Langenhove NAMIBIA POST-DISASTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword ii Acknowledgements iii Table of Contents iv List of tables v List of Figures vi List of Abbreviations viii Executive Summary x Section