Oshikoto Region, Namibia Flood Contingency Plan (2009-2010)

Oshikoto region is exposed to many hazards that include hydrometeor logical hazards particularly floods droughts and wild fires as well as epidemiological hazards mostly acute watery diarrhea and malaria outbreaks. In February 2009, the region was affected by extensive flooding in seven of the ten (10) constituencies and was one of the worst flood in living memory. About 26958 people were indirectly and directly affected by the floods. The impact on livelihoods was more pronounced on agriculture and food security with about 13481 households becoming food insecure after most of their crops were destroyed by floods. While the contingency plan is on flood, the response plans looks at a wide range of possible effects in identified sectors. The hazard profile and analysis was developed on the basis of historical trends, likelihood of occurrence and possible impacts. Not much historical data on trends and magnitude is available so the magnitude and impact was based on experiences of 2008-2009 flood period