Climate Change In Namibia

1. INTRODUCTION

Windhoek like any other town or city in the world is vulnerable to natural disasters as a result of accelerating climate change. Climate change has caused numerous damage to the environment and the have changed the living standards of many people throughout the world. In Namibia, the effects of climate change are evident and are the cause of high temperatures and low rainfall which has resulted in ever increasing drought all over the country.

According to the National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (NCCSAP) (2015), Namibia’s climate change responses have been more concentrated on adaption then preparedness or mitigation, this is to control the negative impacts of climate change and not to avoid disasters that may

Based on the analysed documents, reports and media articles flood in Windhoek is not common even though it has occurred and has caused major damage especially to the roads in the city. The City of Windhoek’s division for Disaster management is responsible for the management of disasters such as floods, however the division doesn’t have documents that indicate how the division intend on addressing a major flood should it occur therefore, a thorough inspection of its Disaster management plan was done and is discussed.

According to the auditor general report on emergency preparedness of the prime minister, there are six components of disaster preparedness in Namibia these includes, Institutional Framework of the city, Early Warning Systems identified, Information and Communication Systems, Resource Bases, Response Mechanisms and Public Education and Training offered. These are the basis to which the preparedness of the city of Windhoek is assessed including the policies and other institutions that may contribute to the management of floods in the City.

2. LEGISLATION AND

The plan is developed under the Division of Disaster Management and the Emergency Operations Plan ( EOP) is part of the City of Windhoek’s Emergency and Disaster Management Programme. An Emergency operations organization has also been developed which is executed by the division. The plan indicates the preparedness and operation of the City of Windhoek is coordinated by the division as it prepares all the procedures, conducts and coordinates training workshops, conduct assessments of local needs and make sure that the city is preparedness for disasters such as floods. The EOP provides frameworks for the preparation and carrying out of emergency response functions during disaster emergencies that the City of Windhoek can follow during these times. The plan brings forth the development of other new ideas for the management of Disasters and Emergencies which includes Emergency Operations Centre, the Mobile Emergency Operations Centre, and Public Safety Answering Points. The plan identifies flood as a sudden onset and slow onset hazard that the city may be exposed to, which destruct peoples life’s as well as property and essential services may e.g. water, electricity, sewer