GLIDE FL-2009-000062-NAM
Period covered by this Ops Update: 24 March to 3 April 2009.
Appeal target (current): CHF 1,569,797 (USD 1,376,399 or EUR 1,033,080).
Appeal coverage: 41%;
Appeal history:
- This Emergency Appeal was initially launched on 25 March 2009 for CHF 1,494,980 (USD 1.3m or EUR 979,849) for six months to assist 20,000 beneficiaries.
- Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF): CHF 146,695 was initially allocated from the Federation's DREF to support the National Society's response.
- Appeal budget revision: this Operations Update (no. 2) reflects an increase to the overall appeal budget to support additionally identified operational costs.
Summary: The Namibian Red Cross Society (NRCS) continues to deliver much needed assistance to people affected by the floods in six regions of Northern Namibia. In Kavango and Caprivi, the Chobe, Zambezi and Kavango rivers have reached their highest levels since 1963, where in parts water levels reached as high as 7.85 meters. Although the region has been affected by floods in the past, the extent and adverse impact this year is the worst in over 40 years.
The situation in the Caprivi region has left up to 13,000 people displaced. Additional communities are expected to be affected and require assistance for relocation to safe areas as ongoing assessments identify the impact of the floodwaters. While this impact is very present, the Namibian Hydrology division indicates that water levels in the northwestern regions have started to subside. As a result many people are beginning to moved back to their houses and start reestablishing their lives. The provision of relief items as well as the construction of latrines and bathing shelters by the National Society has aided beneficiaries in coping with the situation in relocation camps that support 16,394 displaced people. However the materials at hand are not enough and additional relief items (including shelter kits, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, soap, and jerry cans) under this appeal, together with a bilateral donation from the Belgium Red Cross, are expected to arrive in the week of the 6 of April 2009.
The overall appeal budget has been increased to support additionally identified operational costs. The National Society appreciates the support of both local and international partners. This operation will be implemented over six months, and will therefore be completed by 30 September 2009; a Final Report will be made available by December 2009 (three months after the end of the operation).
