Erongo Marine Enterprises (EME) has donated N.dollars 300 000 to the Erongo Emergency Food Bank.
The donation was handed over to the Office of the Governor on Saturday and will help with the purchase of food for patients in the region for at least three months.
“Food donations would not have been enough in a situation like this, hence EME’s decision to make this donation,” EME Managing Director, Dr Martha Uumati said.
The region’s four state hospitals at Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Omaruru and Usakos have been facing food shortages since the beginning of the month, which led to the establishment of the Erongo Emergency Food Bank on 06 September.
Uumati said the company also spent N.dollars 50 000 on having two refrigerators at the Swakopmund and Walvis Bay hospitals repaired.
“In addition to that, EME also donated crockery and cutlery worth N.dollars 35 000 to the hospitals that used plastic utensils before,” she added.
Erongo Governor Cleophas Mutjavikua extended his gratitude to EME.
“Gestures such as these should not be taken for granted and my office should definitely be held accountable for any other donations to come,”
Mutjavikua said.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernhardt Esau urged the Ministry of Health and Social Services to seek additional assistance as soon as possible.
He also called on people to cultivate a culture of sharing, especially in times of need, such as what is being experienced by the Erongo health department.
“I am also calling on other fishing companies and the rest of the private sector to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility in meeting the government halfway, where needed and putting an end to poverty,” he said.