Kunene River floods destroy school gardens and water supply, leaving 300 pupils at health risk

Flooding along the Kunene River has destroyed crops in several Epupa villages and cut off the clean water supply to Otjimuhaka Primary School, affecting hundreds of pupils. Epupa constituency councillor Kuuoko Tjimutambo stated that villages like Okozongombe, Otjamaungu, and Otjimuhaka have had crops washed away, impacting farmers who rely on vegetable gardens for food and income. The damage to Otjimuhaka Primary School's water supply poses serious health and sanitation risks for pupils and staff, forcing them to use unsafe river water. The school's garden is submerged, and the water pumping cylinder was washed away. Principal Elias Uusizi reported that the situation has worsened, with pupils now fetching water directly from the Kunene River. The Ministry of Health and Social Services donated water purification tablets during an assessment visit. Floods have also disrupted movement, leaving some pupils stranded at the school, particularly those crossing from Angola. Uusizi also highlighted concerns about food shortages impacting the school feeding program and inadequate infrastructure such as fencing, sanitation facilities, and lighting. The school, which accommodates about 300 pupils, urgently needs clean water interventions, including boreholes and purification systems, and improved infrastructure. The flooding follows an urgent warning from NamPower to residents along the Kunene River due to heavy rainfall in southern Angola, with NamPower opening a second floodgate at the