2008-04-14Staff Report 2 "By Anna Shilongo WINDHOEK There is still no end in sight in as far as corporate generosity and the goodwill of Namibian entities is concerned for the flood victims in the north. Joining the ever-expanding list of gene-rous benefactors is the water utility NamWater. It recently handed over a cheque of N$250 000 to the Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) to enable the organisation to buy goods for the northern flood victims. Handing over the donation, NamWater's Corporate Communications Officer, Tommi-Riva Numbala, was hopeful that the donation would alleviate the current situation in the flood-stricken areas where thousands of people have been driven out of their homes by the disaster. ""NamWater is donating this money today as part of its social responsibility,"" he said. He noted that Namibia, generally known for its dry climate south of the Sahara, seems to have changed. This year the country was blessed with adequate rainfall, so much so that the northern parts of the country are flooded. ""I am specifically referring to the Caprivi Region, as well as the regions of Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena. Those regions have been so much affected that some of the residents had to be moved to safer areas,"" said Numbala. This is where the Government, the private sector and other welfare organisations such as the Red Cross are expected to support affected people with food, shelter, medicine, water and other basic needs. ""Supporting the affected people is costly, which is why NamWater thought it appropriate to make a contribution towards the affected people,"" he stressed. Floods have been a common phenomenon but the potential for more frequent and severe floods has increased due to climate change and variability. In this regard, it is obvious that Government alone is unable to meet the victims' needs. Therefore, the private sector and non-governmental organisations need to continue fostering stronger partnerships with Government and other developmental partners, he said. Escalating floods in the north and north-east of the country have left behind a trail of devastation affecting the lives of more than 65 000 people - leaving a path of damaged houses, uprooted trees, destroyed schools, flattened crops, dead livestock, contaminated streams and ponds and damaged road links. The floods have displaced the communities. " 2008-04-14Staff Report 2
