Highlights
The currentrainy season (November to April 2017) has brought steady rainfall and relieved some effects of El Niño, but has resulted in flooding, school closures and the relocation of 1,092 people, especially in the northern regions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) have warned of possible flooding in north-central Namibia. Regional institutions have been alerted and are putting contingency measures in place.
Two cases of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever were reported (2 isolated cases, 1 fatal), which are now contained. Over 7,000 Malaria cases have been reported from January to February 2017, which doubled compared to same period in 2014.
Armyworm has affected at least 50,000 hectares of maize and millet crops in Zambezi, Kavango, and the maize triangle (Grootfontein,
Otavi districts in Otjozondjupa). Currently, this has had limited impact on children or the school feeding programming given that the impact is yet to be felt on the harvest and market availability. In the mediumterm reduced food supplies will result in price increases.At the end of 2016, USAID generously contributed US $1.4 million to purchase water tankers for the UNICEF WASH response. Tankers are expected to arrive by the end of March 2017.