Namibia PDNA 2009 - GFDRR

Needs
The education sector response strategy is two-pronged: (i)a recovery strategy involving the rebuilding and repairing the damaged
facilities to improve resilience to natural disasters; and, (ii) s training and technical assistance in disaster preparedness, response and
management. The estimated total reconstruction needs amount to N$29.8 million. Recovery needs are N$113.8 million, of which
N$56 million is the cost of rebuilding improved school facilities that are more resilient to floods, and N$57 million is for improving
road access to schools. Total recovery needs for the education sector are broken down in the needs table below:
Table 87: Summary of infrastructure needs by school level (N$ million)
Region
Reconstruction
Recovery
Primary Secondary Combined Total Primary Secondary Combined Total
Roads
Total
Caprivi 0.6 - 0.6 1.2 1.9 - 3.3 5.3 12.6 17.9
Kavango 0.3 - 0.0 0.3 0.3 - 0.0 0.3 4.2 4.5
Omusati 2.5 11.4 1.3 15.3 5.9 11.4 4.1 21.5 5.4 26.9
Ohangwena 0.4 - 0.4 0.8 0.4 - 0.7 1.1 7.8 8.9
Oshikoto 7.2 - 2.1 9.3 10.5 - 3.6 14.1 17.4 31.5
Oshana 1.4 0.8 0.7 2.9 2.9 7.9 2.9 13.7 9.6 23.3
Total 12.5 12.2 5.1 29.8 22 19.3 14.7 56.0 57.0 113.00
Table 88: Summary of infrastructure needs by Region (in N$ million)
Summary of infrastructure needs by Region
Region Reconstruction Recovery Roads Recovery
Caprivi 1.2 5.3 12.6 17.9
Kavango 0.3 0.3 4.2 4.5
Omusati 15.3 21.5 5.4 26.9
Ohangwena 0.8 1.1 7.8 8.9
Oshikoto 9.3 14.1 17.4 31.5
Oshana 2.9 13.7 9.6 23.3
Total 29.8 56.0 57.0 113.0
The exact modalities of construction and rehabilitation of schools will need to be agreed upon with central and regional authorities of
the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Works and Transport and development partners. Urgent action is also necessary in schools to
ensure learner safety in schools that have sustained serious partial or non-visible damage. A detailed assessment of these damages and
implications for learner safety will have to be undertaken. Where structures are found to be unsound, repair and rehabilitation should
precede school resumption. The process of reconstructing schools that have been completely destroyed provides the opportunity
to build-back better to allow for resilience to disasters and a more child friendly environment. As such, the recovery figures take into
account the need for more permanent and resilient structures.
Human Recovery
The education sector was not adequately prepared for the flood disaster as evidenced by absence of contingency plans to
accommodate pupils displaced by the floods. Though early warning information had indicated the possibility of flooding in the Caprivi
Region, schools went to re-open in the flood plains only for pupils to relocate to schools on higher ground when the flood water
arrived, resulting in disruption of education.
Due to the fact that families were relocated, proper nutrition for school-going children could not be guaranteed. The School Feeding
Programme is an important tool to keep learners in school. In 2008 there were about 85,000 children participating in this programme,
and this is expected to increase due to the Government’s expansion of the programme as a reaction to the flood and increasing food
prices. The programme is also intended to protect children against natural disasters such as droughts and floods.
The public’s right and need for access to accurate and timely information are critical in an emergency. Therefore, there is a need to
establish and strengthen multi-purpose access centres in the flood-prone Regions, which would help the dissemination of critical
disaster response information.
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Namibia POST-DISASTER NEEDS ASSESSMENT