Nearly 1,000 families in the district of Nicoadala were forced to leave their homes as a result of high levels flooding in January 2015. In response to the emergency, the National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) worked with local government to establish the relocation community of Nantete to house displaced families along with the previously established community of Namitangurine. The internally displaced person (IDP) population of Namitangurine has remained relatively constant over the past months while Nantete has witnessed a decrease of 162 families that have departed the site. Currently these two relocation communities accommodate a total of 676 families displaced from their homes in 2015.
The majority of families in both Namitangurine and Nantete have expressed an intention to stay in their new communities and build permanent residences as opposed to returning to their homes in areas at risk for future flooding. Signs of permanent home construction have become increasingly evident, particularly in the community of Namitangurine. The sites report both the formation of site management committees as well as self-organized community security structures to aid in the protection of residents.
While many positive improvements have been noted, concerns continue particularly in regards to water and hygiene. Although families in each of the two relocation communities have access to manual water pumps for their drinking water needs, the quantity of pumps does not supply sufficient water to meet the needs of the community. One water pump in Namitangurine is currently supplying drinking water to all 464 displaced families from 2015 as well as families that previously lived in the community displaced from flooding in prior years. IDPs in both sites indicate that total water use per person is less than 15 liters a day. Nearly 600 plastic latrine bases have been donated within the district and over half of families in both sites have constructed private latrines.
Malaria was cited as the most prevalent health problems for IDPs within the district of Nicoadala, however preventive efforts are being made as over 75% of families possess mosquito nets. Access to health care is a challenge for IDPs in Nicoadala who do not benefit from services within the site and are forced to travel to distant district health facilities for care.