Remarks by Dr. Leake Hangala: Cell One Director of Corporate Strategy and Business Development at the Namibia Red Cross �Flood of Applause Day� held at the Roof of Africa Lodge on the 14^th of November 2008

Director of ceremony,
The Right Honorable Prime Minister Nahas Angula,
Honorable Ministers present here today,
Ms Francoise Le-Goff � The Head of Southern African Zone,
Heads of other organizations present here,
Ms Dorkas Kapembe-Haiduwa Secretary General of the Namibia Red Cross Society, Staff and volunteers,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen.

First of all, I would like to thank the Namibia Red Cross Society for the invitation and the Chairperson of the Board Mr. Andimba Toivo ya Toivo for welcoming us so warmly to this event. 

We appreciate the fact that the Namibia Red Cross Society made time to organize this day, to come and thank all of us for supporting its humanitarian work, especially during the flood disaster that hit the country earlier this year.When the team from the Red Cross visited us immediately when the floods started, we at Cell One felt obliged to assist our brothers and sisters who were left helpless by the disaster. We discussed the issue with the Red Cross team and agreed on what assistance was needed urgently and that was water purification tablets that played an important role in preventing the affected communities from contracting water borne diseases.

Equally our fellow business people some of whom are present here today assisted in many different ways and lifted the burden from the government by donating money, food, shelter and other basic commodities.

Right Honourable Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to emphasize the fact that it is our social responsibility as the business fraternity to respond positively to the plight of members of the society who are our clients.  We have to make all efforts not only during disasters to support the government and organizations like the Namibia Red Cross Society to enable them to continue improving the lives of the most vulnerable members of our society.

The Namibia Red Cross Society�s presence up to the village level, keeps them well informed on issues affecting our communities, not only floods but also diseases like Tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS as well as other social problems.

Right Honourable Prime Minister, Ladies and gentlemen,

I don�t have to remind you about the disaster that befell the country earlier this year. The most important lesson that we all need to learn from all this, is to be prepared for such calamities all the time and not to be caught off guard.

I am glad to see that so many individuals and corporate organzations present here today contributed immensely to saving of the lives of the most vulnerable members of our society, who are women, children and the elderly who were left homeless by the floods.

It is with this in mind that I challenge the business sector today to continue supporting the country�s humanitarian efforts and improve the living standards of vulnerable communities.

I thank you!!
 

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