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Thousands displaced by Namibian floods

Namibia flood situation - April 2011
OCHA
Water levels in flood-hit northern Namibia "are significantly higher than they were in 2009, when flooding affected an estimated 350,000 people," the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator said in a situation report released on 5 April 2011.

As in 2009, the government has declared a state of emergency, and seven regions - Kunene, Caprivi, Kavango, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto and Oshana - have been listed as flood-affected.

Unconfirmed statistics from the Namibian Red Cross suggest 37,600 people have been displaced by the floodwater.

"Flood conditions in northern Namibia are expected to be exacerbated by another flood wave coming from Angola, impacting mainly the western part of Ohangwena and Oshana," the report said.

More rain has been forecast in the already waterlogged areas in the next few days, "which would worsen the current flood situation further," the report said.

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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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