By Stefanus Nashama

The City of Windhoek has confirmed there are currently no formal plans to relocate flood-affected residents of the Soviet Union area in Ombili informal settlement.
This is according to Cillie Kapolo, spokesperson of the City, in response to growing concerns raised by the flood victims. 
“Following the assessment conducted on 21 March 2025, it was confirmed that the Soviet Union residents in Ombili were not formally registered for relocation. At present, there are no relocation plans for this group,” Kapolo stated.
Earlier this year, flooding impacted residents in the area. Some affected individuals claimed they were registered for relocation, similar to other flood-affected communities in Otjomuise and Havana. 
 

They also voiced concern that the upcoming rainy season could result in renewed damage and loss of property.
Kapolo explained that the City’s disaster risk management unit assessed the area and in collaboration with the settlement development section, met with affected residents on 15 April 2025 to discuss the way forward.
“While some residents were affected, the impact was not as severe as in other locations,” she noted. 
“Given this and the current unavailability of serviced land for immediate relocation, these residents were not formally registered for relocation at this stage.”
 

She emphasised that the City is prioritising relocation for communities most severely impacted by flooding and those in areas with the greatest need. Kapolo said as an interim measure, residents have been encouraged to identify nearby open spaces on higher grounds for the City to assess for potential temporary relocation. However, the area currently occupied by the victims is described as mountainous and densely populated, limiting potential for immediate development or intervention.
Kapolo dismissed the claims that relocation sites are being allocated to individuals who were not affected by floods. 
“The City of Windhoek has only one designated relocation site for flood victims, Goreangab Farm 1008, which was specifically allocated to residents affected by floods in Otjomuise. All relocations are conducted through a transparent process with clear eligibility criteria and municipal oversight.”
 

She reiterated that the City remains committed to assisting vulnerable communities and is actively monitoring flood-prone areas to respond appropriately to future emergencies. “We encourage residents to continue engaging with the City through official communication channels to ensure accurate information is shared and to promote constructive dialogue moving forward.”