Namibia PDNA 2009 - GFDRR

Informal housing was severely damaged as its structure is mainly built with untreated wood. In some areas water has not yet subsided.
Modern (solid) housing was not structurally damaged, and after the water levels fell, it was possible to use them again after cleaning up.
However, damages could be observed in floors that were destroyed and in internal and external wall plastering that were in contact
with contaminated water for long periods of time. In addition, small add-on constructions like latrines, sewages, and other exterior
facilities without a similar structure to the house were severely damaged.
In the Kavango Region, both traditional and informal houses were totally destroyed as they were built in the low-lying areas along the
river and the traditional structures of these houses were totally damaged as they stayed under water for long time, thus the materials
cannot be used again for the same construction purposes.
In rural areas, housing suffered in a different way according to their construction characteristics. In the Caprivi Region, the houses
in rural areas were considered completely destroyed because they were made out of mud, sticks, and poles that, according to the
people, cannot be reused. The damages to houses in the urban area of Katima Mulilo were minimal compared to those in the rural
areas.
Region
Table 21: Total estimate of affected households in all the Regions
Affected
Population
Affected
Households
Damaged
Households
Caprivi 23,000 5,000 3,750
Kavango 7,976 1,246 1,246
Omusati 228,842 38,140 19,070
Oshana 161,916 26,986 13,493
Ohangwena 133,703 22,284 11,142
Oshikoto 117,818 19,636 9,818
Total 974,236 113,292 64,922
In monetary terms, the value of damages to households (traditional houses, modern housing and informal housing) was estimated at
N$385.7 million and the value of losses (relocation camps) at N$13.8 million.
Needs
A preliminary assessment of needs includes interventions to provide
the following:
Temporary Shelter Scheme. There is a need to establish semi-permanent
relocation camps for highly vulnerable areas, and to provide the
structures for easy and rapid installation of water and sanitation facilities,
electricity, shelter and cooking facilities. Permanent fences, gates and
security facilities should be considered. Basic community centres might
be included as a permanent facility that uses the premises during nonemergency
times.
Provision of construction materials for poor. There is a need to distribute
reconstruction/repair materials and construction tools to those who
Figure 26: Houses damaged by flooding
have stayed in place and are in dire need of shelter. Direct subsidies
(cash), training, building materials, or let market instruments (such as
insurance), should be the main means of assistance to the affected people. In the case of distribution of construction materials
(typically cement, rope, shovels, and wheel barrows), the distribution process would need to be done with regional authorities and
communities to correctly identify the most affected households. Considering the high amount of the affected households in Namibia,
it will be necessary to identify if this assistance should be given at the relocation camps, at the early resettlement level, or when they
have already returned to their communities.
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