Martin Endjala
The Khomas Regional Council has allocated two million Namibia dollars to as a relief to residents affected in the region by flash floods caused by rains over the past two weeks.
Confirming the amount to the Windhoek Observer today, Khomas Regional council chairperson, John Moonde said that the money was budgeted long ago and was only delayed.
The Namibian Broadcasting Corportion reported at the weekend as if the amount was budgeted only now as an emergency.
“We have availed this amount a longtime ago, the delay was the assessment report that needed to be analysed in order to identify those residents that were in dare need, and once they were identified, we then handed over building materials such as iron zinc sheets, poles, as well as matrasses, tents, food parcels and other relevant items,” Moonde said.
In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, Governor Laura Mclead-Katjirua also pointed out the NBC’s report was incorrect.
“The reported two million Namibia dollars in Sunday’s, 30th January 2022 eight o’clock NBC News bulletins, reiterated that it (report) was not factual and people should rather direct their questions to the Chairperson who is the right person to ask, since he deals with the budgets of the Kohmas Regional Council. I did not say such a thing at all,” she said.
Donations handed over by the Khomas Regional Council office to the affected communities were part of the budgeted goods, she said.
She could however not put an exact cost on the donated items, as well as building material bought by the council.
She committed that the regional council us ‘’committed in ensuring that these residents receive every necessary help they need,”
Donations were made by private and public institutions such as the City of Windhoek, Red Cross together with the Khomas Regional Council and others.
Donations are often sent to the constituency council offices, where the affected residents are assisted.
“Luckily enough, we did not experience severe flash floods, like before and we are currently busy giving aid to all affected residents,” Moonde said.
Khomas informal settlements residents have been displaced by the flash flood caused by rain over the past two weeks, with their livelihoods hanging in the balance.
Some of the displaced residents have been moved to high grounds away from riverbeds and provided with temporary tents and blankets, including food, Moonde said.
He added that they will continue monitoring the situation, and if the need arises to render help elsewhere. “We are prepared.”
“With the reported widespread rainstorm that is yet to reach Khomas, particularly Windhoek, this donations couldn’t have come at the right time,’’ said a resident, who wishes to stay anonymous.
