NUST Faculty inspires more humanitarian aid for Cyclone victims

Musa Zimunya

WINDHOEK, APRIL 24 – In the wake of what is now called the worst natural disaster to hit southern Africa, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) today handed over donations toward victims of Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Some 35 boxes and 15 zip-up bags were handed over to Zimbabwean Ambassador to Namibia Rofina Chikava, in the hopes of providing much-needed assistance to the victims of the devastating natural disaster that affected over 3 million people in three southern African countries.

NUST faculty of Health and Applied Sciences supported by the Department of Institutional Planning had spearheaded a donation drive in an attempt to assist those affected by the cyclone. Initially, the drive itself was confined within the NUST community, according to Acting Vice Chancellor Morne du Toit, before other stakeholders took notice and decided to partake.

Zimbabwean Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Rofina Chikava strikes a pose with the donations that are set to benefit people affected by Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe.

“However, The City of Windhoek, upon learning about our initiative, joined the efforts and coordinated their staff to also gather donations to contribute to the NUST relief efforts.”

Said du Toit: “Based on this response, the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences and Institutional Planning extended the invitation to the Windhoek public, who also wished to contribute… .”

Speaking to this reporter, Ambassador Chikava said: “We are very grateful and feel this donation will touch the lives of the people who were left with nothing. It will make a difference. On behalf of my government, I appreciate what has been done by NUST and the community in Windhoek because it shows how close our contries are to see people go out of their way to donate whatever they are donating to make a difference.”

She said that previous donations from the Zimbabwean community in Namibia had yielded five tonnes, which had already been delivered to victims. Chikava also pointed out that current SADC Chair, and Namibian President Hage Geingob, had recently launched an appeal that had welcomed humanitarian aid to assist the victims – some who had lost almost everything they had worked for overnight in a matter of hours.

“We have received five tonnes which came from the Zimbabwean community in Namibia and it has been received very well. Remember, the SADC Chair, president Hage Geingob has also launched an appeal for humanitarian assistance for the victims. We feel that the response for this disaster was very humane, and we really appreciate it,” she added.

Vivette Rittmann from the Institutional Planning Department at NUST was assisting the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences with regards to the logistics of the donation drive and she said: “We have managed to gather clothes, blankets and shoes.”

“We have handed over the goods to the Ambassador, and they will continue with the logistics such as customs, etcetra, until the goods will arrive in Harare, where a small ceremony will commence. They will not unload the goods, and thereafter, the goods will be transported to the affected parts of Zimbabwe.”

An estimated 3 million people have been adversely affected by Cyclone Idai – which made landfall on the 4th of March in Mozambique – in the countries of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. – musa@namibiadailynews.info