Martin Endjala
The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) has embarked on a week-long initiative which is aimed at increasing road safety awareness in the region, educating the public about the Fund’s mandate, benefits, and the Fund’s claims process.
The outreach programme will take place in the Kunene Region and is set to run from 6 to 12 March where it will demonstrate the fund’s commitment to continue to deliver services directly to residents in communities.
MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said that the Kunene region has been identified as an area that is generating a significant number of incomplete claims, which causes delays in claim finalisation and payment.
She noted, that these challenges were identified during routine administration and verification of claims eligibility checks.
Hence the decision to take services closer to the communities in the region to mitigate the challenges of incomplete claims, which could lead to repudiation if all necessary documents are not submitted within the prescribed one-year deadline.
As a result, a team will be accompanied by MVA Fund Case Coordinators who will assist with the registration of new claims, respond to claim enquiries, and advise on the claim status of clients in the region.
This is to ensure everyone is assisted, the team comprises employees who speak the local language spoken in the region.
Furthermore, despite the Kunene region contributing to two percent of the crashes and nine percent of fatalities reported countrywide from January to 4 March 2024, the CEO emphasised that there is a need for collective efforts to reduce these numbers as one life lost is one too many.
She called on all stakeholders to prioritise community needs through ongoing regional outreach activities highlighting the Fund’s commitment to extend its reach to assist more communities, especially those in marginalised areas.
The Fund will conduct public education and awareness sessions through direct engagement and mass media, including live broadcasts on selected language services by NBC radio stations.
The community outreach will extend to Kamanjab, and Khorixas and further reach out to residents in Bergsig, Am#gas, Warmquelle, and Twyfelfontein, with scholar patrol activities at various schools.
The community is being encouraged to participate actively to gain valuable information about their entitlements to the benefits and services offered by the MVA Fund.
