south african firefighters Emergency Services Echo–Nova
Photo Cred: Supplied | On File

DHL Express has partnered with Western Cape Government to deliver all donated goods to the Joint Operations Centre in Knysna.

 

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. The DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management.

And now they can add “kindness deliveries” into their mix.

With around 10 000 residents already having been evacuated from in and around Knysna, the fire currently raging in the region has been described by the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre, as one of the most destructive blazes in recent memory.

In response to the crisis, DHL Express has set up a local disaster response team to assist in the relief efforts. According to Megan Roper, Head of Marketing for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, the company will be coordinating the logistics of supplies to Knysna, George and surrounding areas.

“DHL will be delivering essential supplies such as non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing and first-aid supplies to the region via road as well as air freight,” she states. We are working with the City of Cape Town to move essential supplies from their primary drop-off areas and assisting them with the aid logistics in the affected areas.

“In Cape Town, all City of Cape Town fire stations have been declared as “Official Drop-off Points” for donated goods.

“In addition, DHL have opened up their 39 locations across South Africa as additional drop-off points, where people can donate non-perishable foods and other emergency supplies.”

Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa added, “We’ve been following the news of devastating fires closely over the past 24 hours and are very pleased to be able to help. Globally, we have DHL Disaster Response Teams that cover vulnerable regions worldwide to provide specialist logistics support and to facilitate the fast and efficient distribution of aid in disaster areas, therefore we’re well-equipped to support the Western Cape Government with their relief efforts.”

The fire that has been blazing in the Knysna area since yesterday has claimed lives and homes. Over 10 000 people have already been evacuated from their homes, many have lost their homes, hundreds of acres have been burned, scores have been injured and the flames are still burning.

And even in the midst of this tragedy, we can catch a glimpse of the positive. Amid the destruction and the fear, we see the depths of human kindness.

In times of tragedy, along with the pain and sadness, we get to witness the best of people as well.

People volunteering time, money and supplies. People opening their homes to others. Companies getting involved.

DHL


Sources: Supplied
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens.
Good Things Guy have recently launched their new VLOG bringing you all the GOOD THINGS in a weekly show. Watch this week’s edition below:

About the Author

Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

8 comments

  1. Hi
    We are a small community who lost our school last year due to a fire. We want to donate some food and other goods as blankets. We are from Loxton, isn’t there some way you could collect from here or Beaufort-west. We won’t be able to take the goods ourselves but we want to give back just like we received last year. Please please make an exception…!

  2. I want to donate clothes shoes and blankets I am in Uvongo near Port Shepstone How can I donate them

  3. I was not home when disaster struck Anybody in Cradock where we can deposit needy things and any courier service is willing to
    receive stuff and deliver to DHL at
    JET PARK
    CARAVEL STREET
    WALMER INDUSTRIA
    PORT ELIZABETH.

  4. Thank you DHL, we will drop off a 4 ton truck plus a 6m trailer full of donations at Pretorius street branch tomorrow.

  5. Sadly DHL is not helpful if you want to send a relied package to a specific recipient. We have family in Knysna who also lost their home and posessions in the fire. We needed to send them a package but was met with rude staff and a cost of R 1400! Luckily Postnet staff was able to assist with friendly service and a delivery cost of R 400.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *