By:Staff Writer
The Old Mutual Foundation partnered with the ministry of environment, forestry, and tourism (MEFT) and Agra to sponsor five firefighting equipment to assist the regions where veld fires firefighting machines to help the regions where veld fires usually occur.
Agra offered a discount of N$40 000 on the equipment which is valued at N$145 000.
Accepting the donation on behalf of the MEFT, Esmerialda Strauss, thanked the sponsors, adding that the donation will be dispatched to the regional forestry offices at Outjo (Kunene), Rundu (Kavango East), Tsumeb (Oshikoto), Otjiwarongo (Otjozondjupa) and Rehoboth (Hardap). The equipment will be managed by the respective offices and will be available for use in the event of a fire emergency.
Esmerialda Strauss, the ministry’s deputy director of forest and botanical research, directorate of forestry, accepted the donation and thanked the sponsors, adding that the donation will be dispatched to the regional forestry offices at Outjo, Rundu, Tsumeb, Otjiwarongo and Rehoboth. The equipment will be managed by the respective offices and will be available for use in the event of a fire emergency.
The marketing, public affairs, and sustainability executive at Old Mutual, Mignon du Preez, stated: “What we have witnessed in terms of the dangers posed and the number of terrains decimated in veld fires, demonstrates a clear environmental threat to Namibian communities, impacting food security but most importantly the threat it poses to the lives of Namibians. Thus, as the Old Mutual Foundation, we saw the need to play a proactive role.”
The foundation believes the equipment will come in handy as grasslands tend to dry after the rainy season, which increases the risk of possible natural disasters such as veld fires.
This year Namibia received higher volumes of rainfall, although some parts are yet to receive some showers.
Agra said the new equipment will play an important role in serving communities across Namibia by helping to save lives and livelihoods for years to come.
Agra brand and communication manager Piet Stoman said:”As the household name in Agriculture, Agra is proud to be a part of this initiative. We are all too familiar with the devastation caused by veld fires and have first-hand experience with the dangers, the losses, and the after-effects of fires.”
Fire preparedness activities by the directorate of forestry include the management of veld fires through prevention and suppression, community outreach, education, and awareness as well as stakeholder engagement.
Last year, Namibia experienced devastating veld fires which destroyed 1 489 385 hectares, as at end of November 2022, causing severe injuries and loss of life to both humans and animals and equally damaging property and infrastructure.