VP assists Otweya fire victims

Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed her sympathy for the victims of a devastating fire in the Otweya informal settlement in Walvis Bay and personally organised 190 food parcels for the affected households.

Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the families camping at the site of the fire on Tuesday that destroyed almost 200 shacks over the weekend. According to the police report, the fire started in the middle of the congested area and spread to the shacks, resulting in the death of one person.

"Your government is working hard to find a solution to this fire problem in Walvis Bay. However, we need to ask ourselves why fires are so common here. We must really do some soul-searching. Even our police are not able to conduct a proper investigation to help us understand these fires. It’s not the only place you find shacks, but the frequency of fires in Walvis Bay is worrisome. It is something we all need to address."

The vice-president added: “We have also made arrangements through the disaster risk management office for more tents and cooking pots to arrive soon. I must apologise that I may not be able to provide all the support you need at the moment.”

More to do

Nandi-Ndaitwah informed those affected by the fire that more help is on its way from the Swapo party and others.

She noted that: “In fact, we must work toward eliminating informal settlements in our towns and we can only achieve this by cooperating as citizens of this country."



Help pours in

Help has been pouring in from all over the country, with Round Table and Twaloloka Aid Support and Kindness (TASK) being the first on the scene to lend a helping hand.

Providing the latest update on assistance for the fire victims, Round Table said they have received clothes, toys and food donations.

"Funds received have been used to purchase mattresses and supply food for the feeding scheme. The rest of the funds will be used by our club for food and necessities for fire and disaster victims as needed. We have arranged with the fire department for an official handover of the mattresses this week. We've had to wait until they successfully identify each victim, and unfortunately, this process takes time to get right. The fire department has done an amazing job so far! With that, we've also had to wait for the rest of the mattresses we've ordered to arrive. They have landed today (Wednesday).”

TASK provided food to families affected by the fire every day until Wednesday, as well as continuing with their regular distribution of food on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, not far from the fire site.

Round Table added that they have received many calls from people wanting to help.

"The best thing to do is to work through your local fire station during a disaster. There are protocols in place that make it easier to get the items to the right people. By Friday, we will be finalising the assistance we've been providing on the ground, but we will continue working at the request of the fire station and the mayor's office. We want to thank everyone who has donated items, cash, and time towards assisting the people of Otweya."

Speaking to residents on Monday, some were adamant that the statement issued by the Municipality of Walvis Bay was incorrect in stating that only 80 shacks burned down.

“We are almost 200 people here. Do they think we are playing by being here? It’s because we are suffering – that’s why we are here. I do not work; how can I afford rent? We would not be here if we had any other choice,” one of the residents lamented.