Flooding in Namibia and Angola

Floodwater caused by heavy rains in Namibia's northern and north-eastern regions has brought an out-break of cholera, and is also being blamed for a lower than expected cereal harvest for 2008.

The Namibian government declared a state of emergency on 5 March, while the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in its situation report on 13 March that conditions in the affected regions were "worsening": 72 cases of suspected cholera have been reported, of which 4 were confirmed and one was fatal.

"The increased floodwaters have submerged pit latrines and overflowed the sewerage system. We are anticipating an increase in cholera cases and other waterborne diseases," UNICEF said.

A report by the Namibia Early Warning and Food Information System (NEWFIS), released on 10 March, noted that "heavy and constant rains received between mid-January and early February 2008, especially in the North Central and Caprivi regions, have resulted in water logging and leaching, and leads to poor germinations and stunted growth (of crops)."