Remarks

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Dennise Mathieu
Signing of Grant to Namibia Red Cross Society for Assistance to Flood-Affected Communities
Thursday, March 26, 2009, 9:00AM
Namibia Red Cross Society Office
Katutura, Windhoek

It is a privilege to be with you today to award a grant to the Namibia Red Cross Society for assistance to flood-affected communities in the six northern and northeastern regions of Namibia.  On behalf of the United States Government, I express my condolences to the families who have lost loved ones as a result of the floods. I also express my sympathies to those people who have lost their homes, belongings, and livelihoods as a result of this disaster.

The United States Government, through the Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, is making $50,000 (U.S.) available to assist communities adversely affected by the floods.

Funds will be awarded to the Namibia Red Cross Society. The funds will be used to procure first aid kits, plastic sheeting to construct toilets and showers, hygiene kits, jerry cans, gel stoves and gel fuel, soap, and other items necessary to address the plight of relocated people in camps. Most significantly, the funds will also purchase six boats for use in rescue operations and delivery of relief and medical supplies. We anticipate that these boats and motors will be available for future use in the eventuality of other floods.

Just as the United States Government provided assistance during the 2003 floods in the Caprivi and during the 2008 floods in Namibia’s northern regions, we trust that our contributions this year will also help to relieve suffering during these difficult times.

We thank the Namibia Red Cross Society for their excellent management of previous donations and their tireless dedication to improving the circumstances of people who have been affected by these extraordinary floods.

I would like to acknowledge the presence of the Directorate of Emergency Management and congratulate you on the progress made with policies, strategies and contingency plans to address disasters. We will continue to work with your directorate in the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Namibia Red Cross Society to lessen the impact of disasters and to build capacity at central and regional levels to conduct assessments, develop and implement plans and monitor and evaluate emergency interventions.

Natural disasters challenge all nations at one time or another. My own country is still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. We hope that our contribution will relieve the worst impacts of the current floods. We further hope that Namibians know that the United States Government stands ready to assist them whenever disaster strikes.

Thank you.