Namibia Appeal No. MAA63001 31 August 2008 This report covers the period 01/01/2008 to 30/06/2008. Namibia Red Cross volunteers with some beneficiaries of the floods operation. Photo: Namibia Red Cross In brief Programme purpose: Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) continued delivering programmes derived from its four core service areas namely, health and care, disaster management, organisational development and promotion of humanitarian values. Due to the heavy flooding the country experienced at the beginning of the year, most resources were devoted to disaster response activities. Programme Summary: The floods response operation was a key highlight of the activities during this reporting period. Flooding in the northern parts of the country, along the Zambezi River Basin caused extensive damage, and it is estimated that more than 40 people died due to the floods. This operation demonstrated a great improvement in the NS disaster response capacity. A lot of commitment and hard work from NS staff and volunteers was evident during this operation as they worked around the clock providing relief assistance. The implementation of disaster risk reduction also reached many beneficiaries in areas of mitigation and capacity building in both Tsumkwe and Caprivi.
Financial situation: Namibia Red Cross appeal in part of the Southern Africa Regional Programmes and NS Capacity Building appeal (MAA63001) with a total 2008 budget is CHF 13,809,188 of which 24 per cent is covered. Number of people we help: In total 199,300 people benefited from health and care programmes, while 70,000 benefited from disaster management programmes. Our partners: The NS has partnered with the Ministry of Health, Netherlands, Spanish, German, Swedish and Belgium Red Cross Societies and the Global Fund (individual recipient of Round 2, and 5) Namibia. The NS also collaborates with various government ministries and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). Context Early this year, Namibia experienced severe floods in the Northern Central regions. In total, six regions were affected: Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, Kavango, Caprivi and Oshikoto. This has affected the delivery of services to the displaced, as most villages became un-reachable due to high levels of water. With the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cross Societies (IFRC) Zone office in southern Africa, partner national society (PNS), government, United Nations (UN) agencies and other humanitarian agencies, NRCS successfully managed to alleviate the suffering of those affected. Progress towards outcomes Disaster Management The impact of disasters on people s lives reduced through timely distribution of life saving assistance from pre-positioned stocks. Vulnerability of communities in disaster-prone areas reduced from the impacts of disaster. through timely information, capacity building and livelihood resilience to disaster risk. Capacity of communities in disaster preparedness and post-disaster response is strengthened. Immediate food needs of 30,000 people affected by HIV and AIDS are met and their food reserves and nutrition improved and stabilised. NS capacity in disaster preparedness and health emergencies is strengthened. Disaster Risk Reduction: NRCS organised a round table discussion on disaster risk reduction and climate change aimed at exploring ways of collaboration on DRR activities, and also in finding ways of creating awareness of climate change. Concurrently, a contingency planning workshop for the recurrent floods in Caprivi region was held with various stakeholders. Under the food security project, seeds and agricultural inputs were distributed in Tsumkwe district benefiting close to 1,000 beneficiaries. The community garden used for training in Tsumkwe has so far produced 50kg of tomatoes, 20kg of pumpkins and 120kg of peas. Under disaster mitigation, some chillies were procured and distributed to villages around Tsumkwe, to make chilli bombs. 1 In partnership with the Naye-Naye conservancy, the NS protected two water 1 Chilli Bombs: A mixture of dried egg, elephant dung and crushed chillies, burnt to scare away elephants, due to their tear-gas like smell. 2
points in two villages. In Caprivi, a tree planting project was identified in an effort to address the effects of climate change. A workshop on tree planting and vegetable preservation was held, where 20 volunteers were identified to be responsible for training and guiding communities in tree planting and care. Fruit trees were distributed in Chetto and Omega III. The funding phase for the Disaster Risk Reduction project ended in April 2008. Together with the IFRC, the NS plans are underway to develop activities along the Zambezi river basin. Floods response: A total of 4,000 people were relocated to six camps in the Northern central regions during the floods operation. The NS distributed non-food items (jerry cans, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, blankets, and water makers, hygiene kits, kitchen utensils, bar soaps and tents) to those affected. Co-operation with the regional councils and town council has been good so far, and continues on into the recovery phase. Joint assessments by stakeholders were conducted twice during the operation, looking at the impact of the disaster and the needs of all the affected regions. Stakeholders included in the assessment were the NS, Department of Emergency Management, WFP, UNDP, Roads Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Restoring Family Links: The refugee population in Osire camp now stands at approximately 6,500. UNHCR is in the process of reducing its operations and as a result, there has been a reduction in the distribution of food rations and other relief items. The repatriation of Angolan refugees has stopped and UNHCR has reduced its assistance to only vulnerable cases (orphans, elderly people, sick). The family visit programme for Windhoek, Oluno, Hardap and Walvis Bay was carried out successfully. In this period, the NS was able to re-establish family links through Red Cross Messages: 225 messages were collected, while 197 were distributed. In April, 15 Namibians from the Northern part of the country (Ohangwena region) were voluntarily repatriated from Mayukwayukwa refugee camp in Zambia. The group was met by UNHCR, Government officials and NS staff. Health and Care Women, men and children protected from malaria and tuberculosis (TB) through adequate community DOT and surveillance in areas of NRCS operation. NS has adequate CBFA capacity in all its functional branches. Access to safe water and sanitation services of 105,000 people in target areas improved. Water and sanitation: A baseline survey for Kunene region has been completed and the draft report has been circulated to all stakeholders. Preparations are underway to carry out a baseline survey in Ohangwena region. A total of 24 volunteers and staff have been trained on Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) Training of Trainers (ToT), and they are expected to train other volunteers. An additional 21 PHAST volunteers have been recruited and trained and they have completed the first three stages of PHAST methodology in 86 villages in Kunene region. A total of 20 pit latrines for households were constructed and an additional 12 latrines were constructed for three schools (four latrines in each school). In the same period, 700 sanitary platforms were produced, 600 improved family pit latrines and 100 communal latrines for 25 schools constructed. 3
In the same period, seven volunteers were trained on the formation of Water Point Associations (WPA) and Water Point Committees (WPC) and consequently, six WPA and six WPC were formed. As a result, there are now 125 new and 150 rehabilitated community managed water sources in low income villages, 150 rehabilitated boreholes fitted with hand pumps, 100 new wells, and five springs. All water sources are currently being managed by water committees, who have put in place appropriate cost recovery systems. Tuberculosis: A total of 1,178 patients are on the Directly Observed Therapy short course (DOTS) and are taking their medication under the supervision of trained caretakers. In total, 75 clinic health committees were established at health facilities. During this period, 40 patients who had defaulted treatment were traced and put back on treatment. First Aid: During the period under review, 184 people from private companies went through commercial first aid training, conducted by NRCS trained instructors Organisational Development NRCS leadership, governance and management are effective and empowered through structured capacity building. NRCS meets the criteria of a well-functioning national society (WFNS) 2 and has enhanced effectiveness of programming and services delivery. The governance and management orientation workshop was carried out with the support of IFRC and ICRC. The workshop orientated participants on the roles and responsibilities of governance and management in the NS. Emphasis was also given on the characteristics of a well functioning NS. In addition, regional managers were brought together for training on election procedures for the regional committees, facilitated by the IFRC representative. Afterwards, they were tasked to begin the process of branch committee elections. The Human Resource Policy was also reviewed and endorsed by the Governing board meeting that took place in April 2008. Principles and Values NRCS members, staff, volunteers and community members understand the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movement and the Humanitarian Values The commemoration of World Red Cross Day was held in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. The day was marked by events such as a march, street collection by staff and volunteers. On the same day, the Fundamental Principals and Humanitarian Values of the Red Cross were disseminated on various radio channels. Constraints or challenges: Increasing the membership drive of the NS is a challenge but there are plans in place to recruit members at all levels. 2 WFNS - Accountable leadership and management, quality programming and effective service delivery to vulnerable people 4
Working in partnership The NS has partnered with the Ministry of Health, WFP, Netherlands, Spanish, German, Swedish and Belgium Red Cross Societies and the Global Fund Namibia. The NS also collaborates with Government Ministries and NGOs. Through these partnerships, the NS has strengthened its relationships for better co-ordination and improved service delivery at all levels. There is however a need to formalise these partnerships through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding. These partnerships also need to be strengthened in order to ensure effectiveness and sustainability of programmes. Contributing to longer-term impact The NS programmes endeavour to find synergies within national and international strategies, in order to improve the quality of lives of the vulnerable, through the implementation of programmes in the core areas: promotion of Humanitarian Values and Fundamental Principles, health and care, food security, disaster management, organisational development, resource mobilisation and development of partnerships. Community empowerment programmes will continue to target more women than men following the increase of female headed households, as a result of HIV related mortality. Incorporation of messages targeting gender violence is being encouraged by all health educators. Looking ahead There are plans to conduct baseline surveys for the HIV and AIDS programmes in all the project areas with the support of the IFRC. Strengthening disaster preparedness of the NS is one of the top priorities. In terms of organisational development, the priority is on membership recruitment and strengthening regional committees. How we work The International Federation s activities are aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity". Global Agenda Goals: Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters. Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies. Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability. Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity. Contact information For further information specifically related to this report, please contact: In Namibia: Dorkas Kapembe-Haiduwa, Secretary General Email secgen@redcross.org.na, Phone: +264.61.253.216/235.226/253.346/253.348 In Namibia: Getachew Ta`a, Country Representative, Namibia Country Representation, Windhoek: Email getachew.taa@ifrc.org. Phone: +264.811.229.838. In Johannesburg: Contact: Françoise le Goff, Head of Southern Africa Zone françoise.legoff@ifrc.org, phone 27.11.3039700, fax 27.11.303 9711. In Geneva: Busi Tshili; Officer (Management Support Team), Coordination and Programmes Division; Email: busisiwe.tshili@ifrc.org; Phone: Tel: +41.22.730.4207; Fax: +44.22.733.0395 5