“With all our troubles, frictions and challenges, this is indeed an incredible country where the spirit of Ubuntu always takes centre stage and reigns supreme.” – Gift of the Givers
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (13 April 2022) – Gift of the Givers has been on the ground, helping KwaZulu-Natal residents impacted by the recent floods and devastation caused by the continuous rain.
The organisation says that calls have been coming in not just from those requesting assistance but amazingly from corporates wanting to support stricken communities.
“With all our troubles, frictions and challenges, this is indeed an incredible country where the spirit of Ubuntu always takes centre stage and reigns supreme.”
The teams are busy with on-site assessments identifying areas of severe damage, and avoiding duplication. Community members are also providing feedback to the organisation.
Their criteria are clear: roads, bridges, drainage and public infrastructure are a governmental responsibility, though Gift of the Givers will possibly consider schools and health infrastructure for repair. Insurance companies should cover private homes and businesses, whilst it’s the informal settlements, houses in low lying locations and the non-insured who depend on a compassionate nation to assist them in their hour of distress.
“The need of the hour is huge with massive damages to roads, highways turned into rivers, shipping containers floating on the N2, retaining walls collapsed with people trapped underneath, cars washed away, debris and trees blocking roads, and people unable to get to work.”
Health facilities had to reduce services, religious institutions, as well as many homes, have been damaged, electrical infrastructure is non-functional aggravating load shedding, streams have become raging rivers, and people have lost their lives. Those making it to work have to carry extra shoes and socks as they walk through streams to get to transport that in turn have to negotiate high levels of water on roads.
Hot meals, blankets, bottled water, warm clothes, sanitary pads and diapers are the initial requirements for those in low-lying areas who have lost their material possessions. Food parcels, school uniforms, and stationery will be provided where the need arises; building material will be considered as well as repairs to damaged school infrastructure.
“Gift of the Givers will assist as best we can.”
If you would like to support Gift of the Givers:
Standard Bank
Account Number 052137228,
Branch Code 057525
Reference: KZN Floods
Please send the deposit slip to donations@giftofthegivers.org for a formal acknowledgement and to request a Section 18A tax-deductible certificate.
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