The Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) needs N$10 million to assist more than 20 000 people affected by floods in northern and southern Namibia.

The Red Cross yesterday appealed for donations to help these people.

"The affected communities are in desperate need of necessities like clean drinking water, sanitation, food and shelter," said its deputy secretary general, Naemi Heita.

She said the worst-affected areas are Caprivi, Oshana, Omusati and Ohangwena.

Heita said the organisation was concerned about water-borne diseases and malaria if the affected communities were not provided with bednets, sanitation and water-purification tablets.

The NRCS's manager for disaster management, Kingsley Kwenani, said the organisation had assessed the situation and started providing aid to the affected people.

"Preliminary findings show that people are in need of water, sanitation and shelter. We have already started giving non-food items and promoting hygiene awareness in relocation camps," said Kwenani.

He said during this week, 3 200 people were relocated in the Caprivi Region and 1 200 in the Karas Region. Oshana evacuated 872 people and Ohangwena 310.

He could not provide the figure for Kavango, where the relocation has just started.

Kwenani said in total 16 153 people have been relocated in the four regions.

Donations to the NRCS can be deposited into the Namibia Red Cross Society Appeal Account at Standard Bank, Katutura Branch. Account Number 241964164, Branch Code: 082972. Donations in kind can be delivered at any Red Cross office.