Niël Terblanché
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah spent the past weekend visiting communities displaced by recent flooding in the northern parts of the country.
According to the Office of the President, her visits to relocation centres in the Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati regions were aimed at engaging directly with affected families and overseeing the government’s emergency response measures.
Speaking to relocated residents at Ehenye in the Oshana Region, Onamhinda B and the Ohangwena Relocation Centre, the President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a coordinated national response.
“Floods and rains cannot be stopped, but we must find ways to stay safe,” she said, urging collaboration across institutions in line with the Cabinet’s directive.
The impact of the floods has been particularly severe for children, pregnant women, persons living with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Many of those displaced have lost not only their homes but also their agricultural fields. While acknowledging these hardships, Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Namibians to stand together and face the crisis with unity and resolve.
“These centres are temporary shelters, and I urge everyone, especially those assisting with aid distribution, to take good care of the food and resources provided. Let us maintain cleanliness to prevent the spread of disease and protect our communities,” she said.
Nandi- Ndaitwah stressed the need for good hygiene practices to reduce preventable illnesses and ease pressure on the country’s health system.
In Omusati, she visited the Etunda Relocation Centre, where 68 households, comprising 484 people, are currently housed.
She also engaged education officials to discuss how best to ensure children affected by the disruption continue their schooling.
“We must work together and support our leaders. When we are united, services will reach the people, and our country will move forward,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also visited key food warehouses in Oshana and Ohangwena, inspecting drought relief stockpiles at the Embadu and Ohangwena Regional Warehouses.
At both locations, she stressed the importance of secure storage, transparent management, and the timely distribution of supplies to ensure vulnerable households receive adequate support.
The President’s tour of the flood-stricken regions is expected to continue as part of ongoing efforts to assess conditions on the ground and coordinate further relief interventions.
