National Disaster Management Office Press Release - Donations and Prayer Service for the People of Okavango affected by Flooding

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"

C7) 7/4/09: NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICE PRESS RELEASE -DONATIONS AND PRAYER SERVICE BY THE TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, GABORONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKAVANGO AFFECTED BY FLOODING

The people of Okavango  region that have been affected by the recent flooding, will at least have something to smile about after  the Trinity Congregational Church in Gaborone last night 06/04/09 gave them donations in the form of various food items, clothing and pledged to donate money amounting to P6 000.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with a prayer service for the affected households whose objective was to pray for the improvement of the situation in the area, to help restore hope and dignity to the affected people as well as stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time.

Those who graced the occasion included the Assistant Minister of Works and Transport Frank Ramsden, standing in on behalf of the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Minister of Education and Skills Development Jacob Nkate, Member of Parliament Vistor Moruti, officials of the National Disaster Management Office and members of the business community.

When receiving the donations, Ass Minister Ramsden said the Botswana government appreciated the gesture displayed by Trinity Church, saying this shows we are truly a nation that cares for one another as enshrined in the vision 2016 pillars. Since we are a nation that’s compassionate this shows that we will also achieve our vision 2016 goals according to the Assistant Minister. This also is an education to the rest of the country that even those affected by the flooding this year could next time offer help themselves to those who would be affected by any such disaster.

He also said when such a disaster occurs people including churches assist the government to provide assistance to all those affected, further adding it’s not only our country that experiences such disasters but even other countries suffer from such occurrences. He advised all the communities affected by the floods to read from the bible Matthews Chapter 6, 25 and 26.

Earlier when briefing the congregation about the latest from the flood affected district Acting Director of the National Disaster Management Office Mr Nkosiyabo Moyo indicated that there were more than 70 households currently that have been affected. Affected households have been relocated to higher ground.  The floods have not only affected households but also government development projects like the water treatment plants at Mohembo East and Sepopa. He further indicated the NDMO had thus far received some assistance from various organizations and business. He added that this token of appreciation from the Trinity Congregational Church will go a long way in assisting all those families that have been affected

Some of the items that were donated on the night were provided with the kind assistance of various business organizations including Ackerman’s with clothing items and T- shirts Mascom.