By Anna Ingwafa OSHAKATI Aupa Frans Indongo Group of Companies on Monday donated N$330ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 worth of goods to flood victims in the Oshana Region at Oshakati. At the hand over ceremony, Dr Frans Aupa Indongo said the situation in the north is not one of “general need” but rather of a human disaster that affects thousands of people, among them children. He said many farmers have lost cattle and property due to floods. Indongo encourage them not to “commit suicide” but understand that the country, like many others in the world, has problems such as drought and poverty. He said the negative effects of the floods would affect the victims for a long time even after the rains have stopped. “This disaster cannot pass our conscience just like another so-called general need situation. Thousands of our fellow citizens are suffering and almost all of them have very little means to overcome and survive this human tragedy.” The veteran businessman called on other businesses and individuals to help. He urged them to reach out to those who are helplessly enduring the pain. “All of us in Namibia who are blessed with a much better situation are being confronted by this suffering. This is also a challenge for not only businesses, but all individuals in our country.” On behalf of the group, Indongo expressed sympathy with those suffering because of the floods. Indongo thanked the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Libertina Amadhila, who witnessed the handover ceremony saying her presence accentuates that the conscience of the Government is touched at the highest level. “We are aware of what you are doing from the Government’s side and also from your personal side to assist in this tragedy – a remarkable example which we as citizens of Namibia applaud.” He expressed appreciation to the Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) for the role it played under difficult circumstances. Some of Frans Indongo Group’s companies who donated goods are Bokomo Namibia who donated N$90ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 recently; Consolidated Sugar Industries donated N$55ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 worth of mealie-meal, while the other Frans Indongo Group’s companies donated N$80ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 worth of consumer goods. Indongo Group comprises of 60 companies. Other companies and church groups donated materials and financial aid to the flood victims in Oshana. RANI Traders cc in Oshakati headed by director, Niku Dharani, donated N$50ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 to help flood victims. Woermann Brock also donated goods worth N$30ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000. Nexus Group handed over a shopping voucher towards buying toiletries for the victims, followed by Pupkewitz and Sons (Pty) Ltd, which gave a shopping voucher for building materials from its company worth N$10ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000. Four Square Church donated N$3ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000, while the Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia donated N$5ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000. The Deputy Prime Minister called on all Namibians to stand together and help each other during times of disasters. She appealed for zinc sheets to build structures for the flood victims. She also appealed to Oshakati residents to clean up the town especially the Omatala open market in order to avoid waterborne diseases such as cholera. Amathila thanked Pakistani businessman, Muhamad Saeed, for putting up a temporary bridge that connects Engela Hospital with the rest of the community.