Several families were left destitute at Kayanga village in the Mukwe Constituency, Kavango East Region after their houses were destroyed by a heavy rainstorm accompanied by strong winds on Thursday afternoon. Kayanga village is located about 170 kilometres east of Rundu. Mayavero Dyakugha, whose house was destroyed by the rainstorm, told NAMPA on Sunday that the roof of his house and the thatched boundary was blown away by the heavy winds. He said he had to improvise and repair the zinc and put it back up to keep his family protected from the cold. He said his situation is better, stressing that he is worried about the pregnant women, the elderly and the disabled as their houses were also destroyed. Aurelia Nkotongo said she lost all her food especially maize meal which cannot be dried once it is wet and called for Samaritans to assist them as they are many and tents will not be enough while they look at ways and means to repair their houses. When asked whether the office of the constituency councillor and regional authorities came to their aid and to assess the situation, Dyakugha said the authorities have not made an effort to approach the affected community members. Mukwe Constituency Councillor and chairperson of the Kavango East Council, Damian Maghambaye confirmed the incident to this agency on Sunday, saying that close to 10 houses were destroyed affecting women and children. Maghambaye said the situation has been reported but they do not have funds to assist the people. “It was reported through the Disaster Risk Management Committee. We do not have the funds to assist those who are affected and we have tried the Office of the Prime Minister so that we can at least give tents or blankets. However, we are also requesting good Samaritans to come forth and assist the needy because it is a very unbearable situation,” said Maghambaye.