User:Marlene Mumukunde/sandbox

Response
The Namibian government declared a state of emergency on 5th March 2008 and appealed to international community for assistance. Working jointly with humanitarian agencies including UN, the government assessed damage extent and established critical needs in the affected areas. The government of Namibia provided food supplies worth N$ 221,000 and non-food commodities worth N$ 5,3 million. The Emergency Management Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister delivered necessary food items to the affected regions using helicopters following roads damage. Flood victims were evacuated to relocation centres in the Engela District and Oshana Region.

The Namibia’s Red cross supported over 40,000 people, who were moved back to their homes by end of August 2008. The Red cross distributed blankets, hygiene kits, water makers, mosquito nets, bar soaps in North-western regions. In partnership with the Swedish Red Cross the Red Cross also provided agricultural items such as millet, sorghum, goats and chicken to improve food security among the most vulnerable in Ohangwena region.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs triggered the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" to help the country battle against floods and the subsequent cholera outbreak that ravaged the country .UNICEF trained community health activists, produced radio messages on cholera prevention and distributed water purification tablets in the affected areas.