Botswana’s recent floods have led to nine deaths and displaced over 5,000 residents. The government has worked to improve the situation, including evacuations and stabilizing essential services. UNICEF reported significant disruptions to education, affecting 600,000 children. Relief efforts are ongoing by organizations like the Red Cross to assist those in evacuation centers.
Botswana has reported nine fatalities due to unprecedented flooding, impacting over 5,000 individuals countrywide. The country’s minister for state president, Moeti Mohwasa, confirmed during a parliamentary session that all fatalities resulted from drowning, with six of the deceased being minors. Flooding has prompted the evacuation of 1,806 residents as of Monday, up from 1,749 the previous day.
Due to the floods, UNICEF noted that around 600,000 schoolchildren are facing educational disruptions. Schools were closed for a week, but Minister Mohwasa indicated they would likely reopen by February 25, 2025. Despite the water-related crisis, essential services, including power and water supply, have been stabilized, although there are occasional interruptions.
While rainfall has diminished, over 600 individuals remain in evacuation centers. Witnessing this disaster firsthand, resident Calvin Moalosi expressed his loss, stating, “I have never seen so much water in my life. The house became a pool of water, and it is really sad that some people were swept away in the floods.”
The local Red Cross Society continues to offer vital relief services to those displaced, providing food, bedding, and hygiene supplies at the centers. CEO Kutlwano Mukokomani emphasized their ongoing efforts to ensure community safety and effective response assessments, aiming to address the immediate needs of affected populations.
In summary, Botswana is grappling with severe flooding, resulting in nine confirmed deaths and substantial disruptions to the lives of thousands. Authorities are working to stabilize the situation, including reopening schools and maintaining critical infrastructure. Community organizations like the Red Cross are playing an essential role in delivering aid to those affected.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
