Gift of the Givers will be providing emergency assistance to front line facilities and internally displaced civilians inside Ukraine and also funding South African repatriations to return home.
Johannesburg, South Africa (06 March 2022) – In times of tragedy, always look for the helpers.
The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster response, non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent. It works to unite people with a common vision, to make a real and telling difference by serving mankind for the ‘Greater Good’. Assistance is provided unconditionally; assisting the needy, irrespective of human or animal, race, religion, colour, class, political affiliation or geographic location. Since its inception in 1992, the organisation has been responsible for the delivery of life-saving goods and on-the-ground support for innumerable people, collectively valued at some R3.2 billion, in more than 43 countries across the globe, including South Africa.
Gift of the Givers restores the hope and dignity of the most vulnerable in their time of need, rebuilding prosperous communities and empowering leaders of tomorrow… and the foundation is crossing the ocean to help the people of Ukraine.
Planning, logistics, procurement of essential items, reliable supply lines, secure corridors, efficient delivery and trusted partners are essential components of disaster intervention in a war situation. The foundation is ready for this phase. Add to this the increasing clamour and groundswell support from individuals, communities, organisations and businesses wanting to ease the human suffering; the decision has been made, and Gift of the Givers is intervening in Ukraine.
“Last night we were invited to a very private international discussion where representatives from Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine Health Ministry, Croatia, one of the chief co-ordinators of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, a doctor in Kyiv, surgeons from the USA and Europe participated.”
Following that important session, they received a call from the Ukraine aid coordinator late last night for guidance on various issues. Early this morning, they sent a blueprint on how to manage the humanitarian situation decisively in Ukraine, having faced an almost identical situation in Syria where the South African team set up the Ar Rahma Hospital in the war zone.
“We also have experience from our engagement in Afghanistan and Chechnya, countries we have assisted with humanitarian aid previously.”
The intervention will be in two parts: provide emergency medical and non-medical assistance to front line facilities and internally displaced civilians inside Ukraine and fund South African students’ repatriation to return home; some prefer staying on in Europe.
Arrangements have been made to purchase items in Europe and in Ukraine. In addition, supplies from South Africa will be sent on scheduled flights. Discussions with various pharmaceutical companies, medical aid societies and corporate companies wanting to support the initiative are underway. The Ukraine Association of South Africa has contacted the foundation to partner with them. They are raising funds from fellow countrymen.
“A South African family (wife Ukrainian) in Ukraine currently are distributing aid on our behalf. We have funded the first delivery today some distance from Ivano-Frankivsk. Aid will be sent to Kharkiv also.”
Those wanting to participate in supporting the people of Ukraine and repatriating South Africans can make deposits into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref “Ukraine”. Please send a deposit slip to donations@giftofthegivers.org to receive an acknowledgement. The first purchases are being arranged for Monday.