Sanlam joins drought relief efforts
(Left to right) Chief Executive Sanlam Investment Management, Tega Shiimi ya Shiimi; General Manager: Public & Corporate Support, Evans Simataa; Group CEO Sanlam, Tertius Stears with Prime Minister Dr. Hage Geingob at the handover of the Sanlam donation on Wednesday. (Photo contributed)
On Wednesday, Sanlam Namibia donated canned fish worth N$100, 000 to the Namibia Red Cross Society (NRCS) at a brief ceremony held at the offices of the Prime Minister.
CEO Tertius Stears said Sanlam Namibia Holdings recognises that the drought currently being experienced, not only threatens the livelihoods of the 800 households in the Kavango, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kunene regions; but affects every Namibian citizen.
He said: “When the livelihoods of people are threatened, economic output declines and the country will be unable to reach its strategic goals.
Government’s financial and infrastructural resources, allocated to current developmental projects; will have to be diverted to assist the affected communities and to ensure food security. Thus it should be conceded that this drought is not something that is happening somewhere in the regions, but that it affects you and me as well.
“Therefore, it is every responsible corporate citizen’s duty to group their resources together and support our government and non-governmental organisations, like the NRCS.
As Namibians we cannot always rely on government and international donors to run to the aid of those in crisis, we have to collaborate, join forces and pool our resources.”
Secretary-General of the NRCS Dorkas Kapembe-Haiduwa said the Society has so far fed more than 16 000 people since mid-July at its five soup kitchens in Opuwo, Khorixas, Rundu and Omega.
“We also provided water purification facilities to many people who otherwise could have no safe drinking water and we continue to do so,” she said. The Society plans to roll out these activities to more areas in the Kunene and Kavango East and West regions as well as in regions such as Oshikoto and Ohangwena, Omusati and Caprivi.
Additionally, the Namibia Red Cross Society, with the support of UNICEF, is also committed to ensuring that malnutrition among the children is identified and the necessary assistance is given.
