Namibia declares flood emergency
The Namibian president has declared a state of emergency after 42 people were killed and thousands displaced by floods in central and northern regions.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba appealed for immediate international assistance to assist those affected.
The floods have been caused by heavy rains in neighbouring Angola.
There is expected to be more flooding following three weeks of heavy rains in Angola's Cunene Province.
The Namibian government cannot cope with the problem alone, President Pohamba said, adding that the country is facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions.
Those affected need blankets, food and tents, and the president called for assistance in rebuilding roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.
Temporary shelters for the displaced have been overwhelmed and there are fears of disease outbreaks.
The head of the Emergency Management Unit, Gabriel Kangowa, said close to 250,000 people in the Owambo region had been cut off by the floods and were only reachable by helicopter.
Rivers there have reached record high levels.
Widespread crop failure is also expected raising fears of impending food shortages. Many communities in the affected regions depend on subsistence farming.
Other countries in southern Africa have been hit by heavy downpours since December, including Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
The UN says close to 15,000 children in southern Africa are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the floods.
Gruß,
Carsten
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