DRC fire victims get new IDs
The home affairs ministry recently increased the fees to apply for national documents, but assured that the fire victims would receive their new documents free of charge.
Adolf Kaure
SWAKOPMUND
Home affairs minister Albert Kawana recently handed over 33 identity documents (IDs) and birth certificates to the victims of a recent fire in the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund.
A fire gutted a number of shacks on 16 July and destroyed the victims’ property, including IDs, in the process.
“I understand how it feels to lose the property one owns, especially for those who are struggling without an income and without employment,” Kawana said.
The ministry recently increased the fees to apply for national documents like IDs, birth certificates and passports. However, the ministry gave assurance that the fire victims would receive their new documents free of charge.
“When I saw what happened, I said no, our people cannot suffer again because those documents will be the ones used by the pensioners to access their pensions. These documents are also used by you to access banks, where proof of identity is required for transactions.”
Pick up the pieces
Kawana said a national document is very important, “as it shows that you are a legitimate Namibian citizen, who is entitled to be assisted by the government in a situation like this”.
“I decided to come here myself after the treasury of the ministry of finance agreed with me to hand over these documents to you without you having to pay for it, so that you can at least pick up the pieces and move on,” he said.
He expressed his sympathy towards the victims for their loss.
“I am really very sorry for the losses you incurred. We will do everything possible to see how we can assist.”
The victims are being temporarily accommodated at the Mondesa sports field.
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SWAKOPMUND
Home affairs minister Albert Kawana recently handed over 33 identity documents (IDs) and birth certificates to the victims of a recent fire in the DRC informal settlement in Swakopmund.
A fire gutted a number of shacks on 16 July and destroyed the victims’ property, including IDs, in the process.
“I understand how it feels to lose the property one owns, especially for those who are struggling without an income and without employment,” Kawana said.
The ministry recently increased the fees to apply for national documents like IDs, birth certificates and passports. However, the ministry gave assurance that the fire victims would receive their new documents free of charge.
“When I saw what happened, I said no, our people cannot suffer again because those documents will be the ones used by the pensioners to access their pensions. These documents are also used by you to access banks, where proof of identity is required for transactions.”
Pick up the pieces
Kawana said a national document is very important, “as it shows that you are a legitimate Namibian citizen, who is entitled to be assisted by the government in a situation like this”.
“I decided to come here myself after the treasury of the ministry of finance agreed with me to hand over these documents to you without you having to pay for it, so that you can at least pick up the pieces and move on,” he said.
He expressed his sympathy towards the victims for their loss.
“I am really very sorry for the losses you incurred. We will do everything possible to see how we can assist.”
The victims are being temporarily accommodated at the Mondesa sports field.
[email protected]
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