Erongo drought-relief food damaged, destroyed
Cans of fish intended as drought relief for vulnerable households in Karibib were destroyed last Tuesday.
This was confirmed by Erongo chief regional officer Mupenzeni Ntelamo, who hastened to add that a viral video on social media has created a false impression that the 127 cans of fish had expired. "The cans were damaged during the unloading process," he said.
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which is responsible for the distribution of drought aid, also confirmed that a forklift damaged the cans. According to procedure, a health inspector was called, who then declared the cans in question unfit for human consumption. The 127 cans of fish were destroyed at Karibib’s landfill after they were taken to the town council offices. It was apparently at the town council that a Karibib resident came across the cans and made the video.
Karibib constituency councillor Melania Ndjago voiced her concern about the incident and said she expected a full report on it from Ntelamo yesterday morning. She also complained that requests for drought aid from vulnerable residents of the town have fallen on deaf ears.
According to her, the food is only provided to those in rural areas, while residents of the town also need help. The cans of fish were destined for Karibib's Usab settlement, the OPM said.
Many questions
According to the Karibib constituency office, there are currently 1 568 beneficiaries registered for drought relief in the constituency. However, the number varies monthly as the beneficiaries are constantly verified, a constituency official said.
Karibib resident Rudolf Kahingunga said there are many questions about what is taken into account to qualify for drought aid, adding that there is a lack of transparency with the distribution process.
Helen Likando, director for risk management in the OPM, urged the public not to share false information and politicise drought aid to avoid fear and confusion among beneficiaries.
She also encouraged all 14 regional councils to preserve drought-relief food items and ensure they are distributed on time.
Ntelamo insisted that no drought aid food in Erongo ERegion's stores has expired, or been destroyed as a result. He admitted that this is already the second incident where cans have been damaged and therefore had to be disposed of. But all his region's drought aid food is still distributed daily as far as Duares and Walvis Bay's rural areas, he added.
This was confirmed by Erongo chief regional officer Mupenzeni Ntelamo, who hastened to add that a viral video on social media has created a false impression that the 127 cans of fish had expired. "The cans were damaged during the unloading process," he said.
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which is responsible for the distribution of drought aid, also confirmed that a forklift damaged the cans. According to procedure, a health inspector was called, who then declared the cans in question unfit for human consumption. The 127 cans of fish were destroyed at Karibib’s landfill after they were taken to the town council offices. It was apparently at the town council that a Karibib resident came across the cans and made the video.
Karibib constituency councillor Melania Ndjago voiced her concern about the incident and said she expected a full report on it from Ntelamo yesterday morning. She also complained that requests for drought aid from vulnerable residents of the town have fallen on deaf ears.
According to her, the food is only provided to those in rural areas, while residents of the town also need help. The cans of fish were destined for Karibib's Usab settlement, the OPM said.
Many questions
According to the Karibib constituency office, there are currently 1 568 beneficiaries registered for drought relief in the constituency. However, the number varies monthly as the beneficiaries are constantly verified, a constituency official said.
Karibib resident Rudolf Kahingunga said there are many questions about what is taken into account to qualify for drought aid, adding that there is a lack of transparency with the distribution process.
Helen Likando, director for risk management in the OPM, urged the public not to share false information and politicise drought aid to avoid fear and confusion among beneficiaries.
She also encouraged all 14 regional councils to preserve drought-relief food items and ensure they are distributed on time.
Ntelamo insisted that no drought aid food in Erongo ERegion's stores has expired, or been destroyed as a result. He admitted that this is already the second incident where cans have been damaged and therefore had to be disposed of. But all his region's drought aid food is still distributed daily as far as Duares and Walvis Bay's rural areas, he added.
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