WINDHOEK – The Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) on Tuesday received tinned fish worth N$100 000 from Mobile Telecommunication Company (MTC) for drought mitigation.
Two weeks ago MTC launched an SMS campaign as part of the “Namibia Helping Namibians” initiative in partnership with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and Pick n Pay.
The SMS campaign is intended to generate funds for the people affected by the drought by giving a chance to the vast majority of the Namibian people to contribute through the initiative.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Tim Ekandjo MTC marketing and communication manager urged the NRCS to ensure they will distribute the food to the affected communities within the shortest possible time.
“We also know that there are individuals and different corporates that have made contributions, and it shows that when we come together and support each other, no challenge can break us down,” Ekandjo said during the handover.
Ekandjo said they need to continue supporting people not just during the drought but also after the drought because the aftermath of the drought also presents its own challenges.
“We need to be especially mindful of people affected by HIV/Aids so that we contain their strength because it is in times like this when there is starvation and malnutrition that diseases like HIV/Aids are exposed to the extreme,” Ekandjo said.
The NRCS has identified residents in the regions of Kunene, Kavango, Ohangwena and Oshikoto as the beneficiaries because these areas are the hardest hit in terms of food shortages.
Receiving the donation NRCS Secretary General Dorkas Kapembe-Haiduwa said it is important that the Namibian nation takes cognizance of more than 900 000 Namibians currently estimated to be affected by the drought and who do not have adequate access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food due to the drought.
“It is with this in mind that the Namibia Red Cross appeals to the Namibian nation to send those SMS’s and assist someone in need. One SMS costs N$5 and is able to buy one sachet that can purify 10 litres of drinking water for a household,” she said.
Since July the NRCS managed to feed over 4 000 people at its four soup kitchens in Opuwo, Khorixas, Rundu and Omega.
The NRCS intends to roll out its feeding schemes in the Kunene and Kavango East and West regions as well as in regions such as Oshikoto and Ohangwena.
NRCS staff and volunteers at its soup kitchens are at the same time conducting malnutrition surveillance activities using the internationally recognized Mid Upper Arm Circumference.
She said children found to be very malnourished are given the right advice while their feeding is increased from one meal to two meals as well as being referred to the clinic or hospital.
The NRCS also received items worth N$48 000 from Namdeb, NDTC and Debmarine contributed by diamond workers.
So far many local and international donors have donated millions of dollars worth of drought relief food with more donations pouring in for the over 900 000 drought victims.
By Loide Jason