Chinese Red Cross Society donates 150,000 USD towards Namibian drought - Xinhua

Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming (L) hands over the donation from the Red Cross Society of China to Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek, Namibia, on June 7, 2019. The Red Cross Society of China Friday donated 150,000 U.S. dollars towards Namibia's drought. (Xinhua/Wu Changwei)

WINDHOEK, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China Friday donated 150,000 U.S. dollars towards Namibia's drought.

Speaking at the donation handover in Windhoek, Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming said this was a first donation while the Chinese government is still considering to provide more concrete material assistance to address this drought crisis.

"I am very much honoured on behalf of the Chinese Red Cross Society to officially donate 150,000 U.S. dollars cash to the government of Namibia to help relieve the serious drought crisis. A decision will be made very soon to see if we can provide food aid. Our embassy will appeal to Chinese communities in Namibia to render our assistance within our own capacity to help our brothers and sisters," Zhang said.

Namibia declared a national disaster last month because of the drought that is dubbed the worst in history.

The drought not only affects humans and livestock but also wildlife.

"Today we are proud and honoured to hand this donation. It is a very small token from the people of China and I can inform that we are still assessing the situation and we appreciate the government of Namibia's efforts to appeal to the international communities as well as other relevant authorities to help Namibia to overcome this disaster," Zhang said.

Also speaking at the event, Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked the Chinese Red Cross Society.

"I would really like to thank the Chinese Red Cross Society for this donation towards the drought we are facing in the country. We really appreciate and pass greater appreciation to the Chinese Red Cross. We also appreciate the statement that your government is still assessing the situation," she said.