Zambia moves flood victims

The Red Cross Society and the Zambian government have started evacuating Lusaka floods victims to a makeshift camp in the Independence Stadium, the aid agency said on Friday.

As at now, at least 161 households in densely populated townships of Lusaka affected by floods have registered to be relocated, Zambia Red Cross Society public relations manager James Zulu said.

“The floods situation is pathetic in Lusaka,” Mr Zulu said. “Water is at window level and toilets are submerged in water.”

Relocate victims

The government, through the district commissioner’s office, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit and the Zambia Army, is helping to relocate the victims.

Mr Gaston Sichilima, the deputy minister in the Office of the Vice-President, said the government was considering demolishing some unplanned townships hardest hit by the floods.

Lusaka is experiencing heavy downpours that have so far killed six people and the meteorological department has said more rains will fall.