Pregnant women at Okombahe settlement in Erongo's Daures Constituency are struggling to access maternal health services due to a lack of ambulances.

A resident in the area, Sibilla Gaweses, said there is only one ambulance that goes to Okombahe from as far away as Omaruru, about 75 kilometers away.
 
The road, she says, is not a standard gravel road, which makes it impossible for ambulances to arrive on time.

"We are struggling with the ambulances. When someone is seriously ill at home, you have to wait for the ambulances to come and get them. It is very dangerous that we don't have ambulances in this place. We are struggling while waiting for the ambulances, and people are passing on. Please have the ministry of health look into that situation so that we can get an ambulance."
 
She further says residents use private cars in cases of emergencies to get to Omaruru, urging the government to look into the matter as soon as possible.
 
Another issue raised by the community is a lack of work opportunities at the settlement.

"The main problem that we have in this place as young people is a lack of work. Joblessness is a major rule in these places. We collect natural fruits and sell them. It is not enough. We want help. We want a factory or even a craft center to open because we have people who are good with their hands. We have mechanics. We are very good at being creative with our hands."
 
They also mentioned that there is a lack of police vehicles, which delays the response of law enforcement to crime scenes.

"We also have a problem with the police and their cars, and we are asking for assistance in getting more cars and police officers in Okombahe; the town is small, but the crime here is really serious, and things are getting worse by the day; things that you buy, they take without mercy and it will never be recovered."