Namibia Floods Post Disaster Needs Assessment 2009
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2009 Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) A Report Prepared by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, with support from the AUGUST 2009 International Community POST-DISASTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT (PDNA) A Report Prepared by the Government of the Republic of Namibia, with Support from the International Community August 2009 Namibia Post Disaster Needs Assessment ii Foreword In March of 2009, torrential rains across Angola, Namibia, and Zambia increased water levels in the Chobe, Kunene, Kavango and Zambezi rivers to such an extent that the North-Central and North- Eastern Namibia experienced the worst flooding in decades. The damage affected an area that is home to sixty percent of the total population, destroying critical infrastructure, washing away crops and livestock, damaging homes, and causing widespread displacement. Many of those affected by the 2009 floods had not recovered fully from the heavy rainfalls in 2008 that had also caused destruction and dislocation. In the aftermath of the flooding, the Government of Namibia immediately mobilized emergency assistance to meet the most pressing needs of people in the affected regions. The Government allocated N$ 109 million towards the response effort and established 110 temporary camps in the six affected regions (Caprivi, Kawango, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshiko,) to house the displaced population. The regional authorities set up and administered the camps, installing pit latrines and showers/bathing facilities and basic water supplies. Officials also made available non- food items (tents, tarpaulins, blankets, water-purification tablets, and mosquito nets) for the dislocated communities. Logistics, airlifting capacity as well as vehicles and motor boats, were provided by government, through the various line ministries. The private sector also contributed to the Government’s efforts by providing new vehicles and other items. Donors provided immediate assistance amounting to some US$ 36 million, a gesture that is highly appreciated. The Government is currently continuing to provide food assistance to the displaced population in the camps, and has decided to extend the food assistance scheme until they are able to return to their homes. The disaster response has been coordinated nationally by the Directorate of Emergency Management (DEM), within the Office of the Prime Minister, and regionally by the Regional Councils through the Regional Emergency Management Units. In the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Oshikoto regions, the Government reactivated the Flood Emergency Management Coordination Office (FEMCO) in order to coordinate relief assistance. The National Planning Commission in The Office of the President has worked to ensure effective coordination with the international community, working hand-in-hand with civil society and the private sector. These efforts were complemented by international donors, such as the United States Government, the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Italy, Germany, Finland, Spain, Austria, France, Botswana, Estonia, Federation of Russia and the World Food Programme, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) the UNHCR, and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund. Immediately following the relief efforts, the National Planning Commission (NPC) requested the World Bank, through the Global Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), and in to undertake a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) in coordination with the United Nations and European Commission in order to assist the Government This was the first step towards developing a holistic approach to recovery and reconstruction efforts, and also aimed to provide the Page ii Namibia Post Disaster Needs Assessment iii Government of Namibia with options for working towards longer term, sustainable Disaster Risk Reduction. The 2009 floods highlight the importance of reducing risks in Namibia, particularly as the country is predicted to face a greater likelihood of extreme weather patterns affecting temperatures and precipitations patters due to climate change. The Government of Namibia would like to thank the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment team for their swift response to the request for assistance, for the dedication of the team shown throughout the assessment, and for the quality of this report. The PDNA offers an outstanding example of effective coordination between various development partners, specifically the World Bank, the United Nations, the European Commission, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Government of Namibia. This assessment report provides a clear analysis of the extend of the damages and losses caused by the devastating floods, the hardship suffered by people, as well as the adverse impacts this had on the economy and the environment. Furthermore, it identifies financing needs required to formulate comprehensive early recovery actions, implement medium- term recovery and reconstruction plans, and develop a long-term risk management and reduction strategy. Finally, our sincere appreciation is extended to the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) for the amount of US$ 0.2 million for carrying out this analysis and compiling the report. Professor Peter H. Katjavivi Director General National Planning Commission Office of the President Republic of Namibia Representing the Government of the Republic of Namibia Page iii Namibia Post Disaster Needs Assessment iv Acknowledgements [to be finalized by mid September with EC comments and Government input] This report was prepared by the Government of Namibia, with support from members of the international community, including the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank, and a wider network of development partners. In the weeks following the devastating floods of 2009, initiation damage assessments were conducted by the Government of Namibia, and assisted by a team from the United Nations. The results of these assessments provided a basis for immediate response and short-term recovery, and the PDNA team is indebted to the initial evaluation teams for their guidance and assistance. After the initial humanitarian relief phase, the Government of Namibia initiated a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which was overseen by the Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi, Director General, National Planning Commission of the Office of the President, supported by Ruth Kagia, Country Director of the World Bank and Simon Nhongo, United Nations Resident Coordinator. The entire process was facilitated by the Global Facility for Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction (GFDRR) and the United Nations Development Programme’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (UNDP- BPCR), with financial support from the European Commission, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the World Bank. The PDNA was coordinated by Michael Mutonga (National Planning Commission) and Japhet Iitenge (Directorate for Emergency Management) assisted by a team from the international community that was led by Jean-Christophe Carret (World Bank) and Seth Vordzorgbe (UNDP). The team from the Government of Namibia included: Gerson TSamaseb, Linda Munsu, Shikupe Meroro, Benson Matali, Ervin Nahafingo, Veikko Shigwedha, Peter Muteyali, Olimpio Nhuleipo, Sofia Nekongo, Lahja Nqhipandula [Government to provide further input] The international community core team included: Kari Egge (EC), Roberto Jovel, Francis Muraya, Doekle Geert Wielinga (GFDRR), Guido Lemoine, Andrea Gerhardinger (JRC), Noro Aina Andriamihaja, Pedro Arlindo, Sofia Bettencourt, Karsten Feuerriegel, IJsbrand de Jong, Sheila Dutta, Brent Hampton, Erin Hansell, Zahra Hassanali, Larisa Leshchenko, Stephen Ling, Eugenia Marinova, Tesfamichael Nahusenay, Patrice Rakotoniaina, Tojoarofeitra Ramankirahna, Mahefaa Randrianalijahona, Hasimahery Randrianosolo, John Steytler (World Bank), Puji Pujiono (UNDP), and Patrick Diskin (USAID), as well as heads of various UN agencies, including Admir Bay (FAO), Boshigo Matlou (ILO), Pierre Bry (OCHA), Gloria Billy, Robert Bennoun, Elina Titus, David Faustinus (UNAIDS), Megan Carolus, McDonald Kadzatsa, Lebogang Motlana, Mfaro Moyo, Mkwetu Mweutota (UNDP), Edem Adubra, Matthias Lansard, Melanie Seto (UNESCO), Fabian Byomuhangi, Pandu Hailonga, Jonathan Ndzi, Sakaria Nikodemus (UNFPA), George Kozonguizi, Fredrick Kustaa, Hosea Mahua, Eduardo Seuerake, Kamanja Tjatjitua (UN-Habitat), Joyce Mends-Cole, Maria Vakeni (UNHCR), Elaine Bainard, Gunder Edstrom, Fritz Etienne, Ian Macleod, Ahmed Madar, Tabit Tambwe, Nolan Van Der Ross (UNICEF), Jan Kellet, Maude Mugisha, Emma Sitambuli (UN-ORC), Baton Osmani, Paula Hidalgo Sanchis (WFP), Petrus Mhata, Innocent Mwesigye, Magda Robalo, Desta Tiruneh (WHO), Page iv Namibia Post Disaster Needs Assessment v The mission was assisted in the field by Erika Odendaal (World Bank) and Lemmy Kapinka (World Bank), and from Pretoria by Sandeep Mahajan (World Bank), Sarwat Hussain (World Bank), and Juan Gaviria (World Bank). The report was designed by Leon Heyns (FEMCO), Virginia Arnecchi (UNDP) and assembled by Anna O’Donnell (GFDRR). Photographs used in this publication were taken by the PDNA team and Government staff. Page v Namibia Post Disaster Needs Assessment vi Table of Contents FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................... II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................IV