Sello Motseta
26 February 2025
A total of 19 districts reported gradual increase in the number incidences of hazards, disasters and casualties during the recent heavy rainfall and floods experienced by the country in February, 2025 Botswana officials have revealed.
A total of 2249 households with 6423 individual members, 2631 children and 561 elderly people were affected by these incidences.
Official investigations indicates that among individuals in the various households who were affected by the heavy rainfall and floods, children were mostly affected in Serowe, Ghanzi, Mogoditshane, Charleshill, Moshupa and Hukuntsi.
“These comprise children in remote areas and other under privileged communities -both schools going and out of school children,” said Nono Kgafela Mokoka, Minister of Basic Edication and Chield Welfare.
She said, “The reported incidents among these communities include flooding and water logging of houses and yards; soaking and collapse of some hut/ house structures; flooded inaccessible road terrains and over flow of drainage systems; flooding of schools, daycare and other learning centres; soaked food commodities, household furniture and other amenities; and regrettably in some instances, loss of life through drowning.”
Out of the 2249 households with reported incidences, a total of 1691 have already received intervention while assistance for the remaining 558 is underway.
The support provided to the affected households ranges from evacuations to designated evacuation centres, provision of tents, alternative accommodation among relatives, food rations, toiletry, bedding -psycho-social support which includes grief counselling.
Government is prioritizing interventions targeting vulnerable households, children and communities (starting with addressing their basic needs for food, shelter, clothing). These include leveraging on
strategic alliance to ensure recovery from the effects of the disaster, sustainable livelihoods and community resilience.
“Prioritization of resources, targeted programmes and interventions for families and children and other vulnerable groups (preventive and curatives measures), together with robust monitoring are thus paramount in safeguarding the welfare of children in Botswana,” said Kgafela.
UNICEF officials say across the world climate change is causing escalating floods, earthquakes, cyclones and droughts adversely impacting children. At this juncture please join me in a minutes silence to reflect and pray for the 6 young souls who lost their lives during the recent flood.
UNICEF works to galvanize a global commitment to ensuring a sustainable world and protecting the most vulnerable children from the worst impacts of a changing climate and degrading environment including here in Botswana.
“In response to the request from Government, considering that UNICEF is expected to be at the frontlines of the response, we have partnered with the Botswana Red Cross Society to render child- centred interventions. In particular these include,” said Dr Joan Matje, UNICEF Country representative.
She said, “Immediate relief and medium-term recovery efforts in flood-affected areas, ensuring access to essential services, hygiene support, and protection of vulnerable populations. The strategy aligns with national disaster response efforts and prioritizes equity, gender considerations, and sustainability in its implementation.”
UNICEF has set aside P700 thousand to provide Emergency Relief, distribute essential supplies (food, blankets, mattresses) and to help providing Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and linkage with health facilities. It has committed to distributing hygiene kits (soap, disinfectants, menstrual hygiene products) and facilitating access to safe drinking water in affected areas.
“We will be working closely with Botswana RedCross implement all these interventions,” said Matje.
