Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid Mozambique

HUMANITARIAN AID DEPARTS FOR MOZAMBIQUE 

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Loading for Mozambique flood victims commences at our Bramley warehouse at 2pm today.  The SANDF will arrive with five 30 ton trucks for the purpose.  They will be accompanied by generals and other personnel.  Gift of the Givers vehicles will also be involved in the transportation of the emergency supplies.  A convoy of about 20 vehicles will depart from the military airforce base at 4am tomorrow.  An ambulance and a combined Gift of the Givers/SANDF medical team will be an integral part of the mission.


Food, water, water purification tablets (to purify 2 million litres of water), high energy ready to eat supplements, blankets, new clothing and new shoes will comprise the 200 ton aid package.  Our teams are on the ground since Monday in the Chokwe district where about 150 000 hungry and thirsty displaced civilians are eagerly awaiting international assistance. We envisage feeding 30 000 people a day for the next few days with the hope that they will be returning to their homes soon as the water subsides.  Storage facilities and a camp site are being arranged with the Mozambican authorities at Chokwe.

Public support for the Mozambican people is welcome.  Details 0800 786 911.

Imtiaz Sooliman
Gift of the Givers

Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid - Port Elizabeth

UNIFORMS FOR PE SHACK VICTIMS
Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

As promised, besides providing hot meals twice daily for the Chris Hani Informal Settlement fire victims in Port Elizabeth, Gift of the Givers, in partnership with Coega, will be handing out complete school uniforms and the total prescribed stationery requirements to all 120 learners affected by the devastating fire that rendered 2000 people homeless on 3 January 2013.

All the children will be served breakfast and will be given a food parcel.  The MEC of Social Development, Pemmy Majodina, will be in attendance.  The event takes place at the St Stevens Church Hall, Brighton at 10am.

Special permission was granted by the Dept of Education to these children to be away from school given their circumstances and the urgent need to acquire the school items.

Gift of the Givers has already built panels to set up 30 of the 100 houses promised to the fire victims.  Finalisation of the land allocation and agreement from all role players is awaited.

Details Allauddin Sayed 083 667 7179 or 0800 786 911.

Imtiaz Sooliman

Gift of the Givers

Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid - Khayelitsha

100 HOUSES FOR VICTIMS OF KHAYELITSHA SHACK FIRE 

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Thank you for your spirit of generosity in responding both in cash and kind to the victims of the Khayelitsha Shack Fire.  Gift of the Givers is in negotiations with Western Cape Disaster Management to acquire land to rebuild 100 houses for 100 families in a well spaced, organised manner to serve as a model for subsequent similar developments.  This would allow for building with sufficient spaces between homes to ensure that if one house catches on fire, only one house and not the entire settlement is gutted.  Spacing will be appropriate to create "roads" for the safe and rapid passage of fire trucks and ambulances.  This model could be the solution to prevent the recurrent costly tragedy of shack fires.  The decisive meeting to get finality on this request takes place at 8am tomorrow morning in Cape Town.  Whatever the outcome Gift of the Givers commits to the construction of 100 of these homes called Zozo's which are built in panels with wood, corrugated sheeting, windows and a door.

Mattresses, blankets, linen, towels, hygiene packs, dishes, sanitary pads, disposable nappies, new clothing and food parcels will also be supplied.  Uniforms, stationery and school bags will be provided next week as learners have lost everything prior to the commencement of the new school term.

The people of Khayelitsha require our generous support to re-instill hope in them in the light of this great tragedy on a day which is generally associated with rebirth, hope and positivity.

Items in kind can be delivered to our warehouse in 45 Noll Avenue, Athlone Industria, Cape Town.  All cash contributions to Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account No. 052137228, Branch code 057525.  Please fax or email deposit slip with contact details.

For further information:

Gawa 0836613035
Allauddin 0836677179
Ali 0826514195
Cape Town office 021 638 7909

Imtiaz Sooliman
Cel 0832364029

Kwazulu Relief Aid: Gift of the Givers

GIFT OF THE GIVERS INCREASES KWAZULU NATAL STORM RESPONSE TO ONE MILLION RAND
Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Hungry, wet, cold and extremely sad - this was the condition of ordinary people in various areas of Ladysmith following the devastating storm on Sunday evening that damaged 500 houses and displaced 3000.  In spite of Gift of the Givers responding rapidly with R400 000 of emergency aid, more rain last night aggravated the misery, affecting the same victims and many others.  Plastic sheeting was rushed in yesterday morning, another 100 rolls were sent in last night but the demands are growing exponentially.  In delivering aid to one of the areas two of our staff escaped a lightning strike by a matter of a split second that totally destroyed a house where they were standing.  Victor Ntshangase (072 431 0043) and Zakhele Ndlovu, having survived the ordeal are back on their way to Ladysmith to deliver another 200 food parcels and an additional 100 rolls of plastic sheeting.

Today our offices received frantic calls from various areas in Chatsworth once again detailing the anguish of ordinary poor people caught up in rain destruction, mudslides and damaged homes.  Unfortunately in the havoc, two children and one lady lost their lives.  Gift of the Givers has dispatched aid to the area and will follow up with more tomorrow.  Bad weather conditions, continuous rain and dangerously slippery roads are obstructing rapid, effective delivery of much needed supplies to desperate communities. 

Gift of the Givers has set aside R1 million to assist wherever possible.

Ladysmith contact    Dr Moin Khan 071 382 2963
Chatsworth contact  Salim Sayed 083 651 2006

Contributions in cash and relevant items in kind are welcome.  Our toll-free line 0800 786 911.

Imtiaz Sooliman

Relief Aid: Ladysmith Storm Damage

LADYSMITH STORM DAMAGE 

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Gift of the givers has responded with R400 000 of emergency aid to more than 3000 victims displaced by the massive storm in Ladysmith last night. More than 500 houses have been damaged.

Items include: Tents, blankets, sheeting, matresses, food parcels and clothing.

More rains are expected tonight and there is urgent request for more plastic sheeting, none of which is available anywhere in Northern Natal due to the extensive destruction. Gift of the givers has procured another 100 rolls of this essential commodity from Durban and Pietermaritzburg and is already on the way to the storm ravished area. Gift of the givers is working in close association with Ladysmith protection services.

For more details contact Dr Moin Khan on 0713822963

Imtiaz Sooliman: 0832364029

Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid

URGENT MEDICAL RESPONSE FOR GAZA

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Gift of the Givers has released 50 000 USD for the immediate purchase of urgent medical and surgical supplies and surgical instruments for the Gaza war victims. This follows a request from our representatives in Gaza who sent a list of items that are urgently required and are in short supply.

The order has already been placed through the Union of Arab Med in Egypt. It will be processed today and delivered some time tomorrow. 0ur reps will then distribute the essential items to the relevant medical facilities. The situation will be continuously reviewed and further purchases will be made as and when required. The reps confirm that 50 people, mostly civilians, have died and 400 have been injured.

Gift of the Givers has been actively involved in Gaza following the war in December 2008 when medical equipment, medical supplies, food, other aid items and an ambulance were delivered during the last days of the war. Medical teams and trauma counsellors accompanied the mission; an MOU was signed with the Gaza Medical School; and in these last four years a hip replacement unit was established, further medical equipment was delivered and medical teams were sent yearly to perform various surgical procedures, transfer skills and teach medical students.

Presently we are involved in the care of physically and mentally challenged individuals in Gaza supplying such basic items as adult diapers.

Gift of the Givers has delivered R30 million in aid to Gaza in the last four years.

We have been inundated with requests by the public wanting to assist with several individuals having made bank deposits already. Those wanting to participate in assisting Gaza can deposit into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Account No. 052278611, Branch Code 057525. Please fax or email deposit slip with contact details.

Warm regards

Imtiaz Sooliman
Gift of the Givers

Gift of the Givers - Relief Aid: Syria

SYRIA: THE SUFFERING CONTINUES 

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

It's a beautiful Saturday morning, 13 October 2012; we cross the river in a "drum" to get to Syria from Turkey.  Here there are no checkpoints, no passports.  It almost feels illegal.

Enthusiastic young men meet us as we pass unlimited hectres of beautiful pomegranate plantations all gone to waste; this is war, there is zero economy, the labour of ordinary farmers and their lives wasted.  We are whisked to the centre of Darkoush city, this is the rebel fighters latest "acquisition" having been liberated just four days ago from Asad's forces.  The vantage point from where snipers targeted and killed civilians is pointed out.  Then whilst touring the religious sites burnt and deliberately bombed, absolute pandemonium, as mortars and shells rain all around the city; the continuous echo of gunfire in the distance; smoke plumes visible everywhere; Asad's forces are back.

Our hosts shove us into the cars in their concern for our safety but in their bewilderment and panic our cars collide as we race down the hill.  These people are on edge; with more than 200 civilians dying per day, this is clearly understandable.  They turn to us: "the city is liberated but not safe".  

Soon bakkie loads of women and children pass us, rushing to the Turkish border.  The wounds of men, injured by dense vegetation whilst escaping through mountainous regions, are clearly visible.  We visit a "compound" in an open plantation where 200 refugees have just arrived, trying to remain calm in the face of overwhelming odds.  The children are silent, their faces ashen, the women cover their faces both from the conservative nature of their society and the embarrassment of being homeless in their own land.  Then the unthinkable happens, a group of women approach us (foreign men) to pour out their hearts; this unusual behaviour is certainly a cry of desperation. Nud, an English teacher is the spokesperson.  

Her first words make the impact: "Asad is merciless. They just opened fire on civilians and then the shells came; could they not give us a warning and ask civilians to leave before they attacked.  We are a peace loving people, why is he doing this to us.  This scenario is repeated everyday displacing 20 000 to 30 000 people at a time". A man passes by, tears in his eyes, "they just opened fire on women and children".

Nud continues, "why has the world deserted us, what have we done, all we asked was for a better life with better policies, marching peacefully through the streets carrying placards. What are we going to do; there is no bread, no food, no water, no electricity and winter is coming.  This is no way to live.  Who can live like this, we want to go to our homes,  but it is not safe. The children. Oh! The children. What are they going to do?"  Her voice quivers, a single tear runs down her face.  She looks me deep in the eye, other women bend forward as she enquiringly asks "Will you help us, will you help the children.  How are we going to feed them?  Can you arrange food, they need milk, something to sleep on and something to keep them warm".

Their dignity does not allow them to wail, scream or be insistent; just one simple, polite request followed by the same statement we've heard at least 50 times in the last two days, "nobody came back, we are on our own, the world has forgotten us".

As we prepare to leave the area the young children respectfully come and shake our hand, "thank you, thank you". They are not expecting us to return because that has been the norm yet they manifest their courtesy with a pure, sincere and genuine heart.
We leave for the centre of the city around which mortars rained down just a short while ago.  It is time to act, it is time to do something, it is time to end their isolation. We are in search of a building that can serve as an emergency medical service, to be the first such facility in the region as a referral centre for fifteen cities.  We find the perfect site.  South Africa is going to respond soon, inside Syria.  The medics have already volunteered their names even though we have not yet asked.  

Imtiaz Sooliman
Darkoush (in the Idlib region)
Syria

  

Relief Aid: Gift of the Givers

SYRIA HUMANITARIAN CRISIS 

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

They return the money you put in their hands, they kiss you, hug you and yet they've never met you, they offer you olives but have nothing to eat, they give you the widest smile, totally disarming, yet they face the greatest difficulty and intolerable hardship.  These are the CHILDREN of Azaz,"Free" Syria, victims of a brutal war that has left them hungry, thirsty, homeless, orphaned, diseased and cold.  Yet they are the strongest symbols of hope and faith, their steadfastness, their conviction that they shall overcome humbles you.  You feel their pain, their desperation; the Al Jazeera Turkey bureau chief breaks down: "I can't take it anymore and I've seen this suffering for two months only".

The elderly come to us. "Will you help us? Will you help our children"  The pleading look in the eyes of a broken parent more passionate and more powerful then the voice and the words.  "Many have come here, taken pictures and never came back and yet we wait patiently.  Will you come back? Will South Africa help us?"

Four million internal refugees in the Aleppo region.  In Al Salameh they slept on the hard ground in open air, 6000 using one toilet; no sanitation, no facilities.  The world has deserted them, shells have battered them, disease has weakened them, hunger has overtaken them and biting cold threatens them.
No sign of any relief agency except IHH that provided a mobile clinic and food but how can one agency manage with these enormous volumes of displaced people.  Flimsy plastic tents dislodge in the strong winds injuring children; this is the only form of housing. The stench of sewerage, absence of clean drinking water, virtually no food, no heating and no blankets spells catastrophe; biting winter is only days away.

The emotional and psychological trauma clearly visible as they point out with trembling voice and tearing eyes an area where 70 people were killed with one bomb, mostly women and childen. The concern for your safety so apparent; "please let's go, we don't want you to be a martyr here, the bombs will be here just now".

We see the frightened look in the eyes of parents in the school.  "The government has the maps, they know the school, they know we are hiding here, we are like rabbits, we may be bombed next".  What could be more traumatising?

Syria needs an appropriate intervention.  This crisis cannot be ignored any longer.

Details: 080786911 or visit  www.giftofthegivers.org for Syria Photo Galleries

Imtiaz Sooliman
Azaz (60km from Aleppo)
Syria

Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid

VERDWAAL RE-VISITED: NEW KITCHEN AND PLAQUE FOR THE HUNGRY FOUR WHO PERISHED

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Verdwaal is synonymous with "death from hunger" in a country that is the economic powerhouse of the African continent. It was a tragic incident in November last year in Itsoseng, Verdwaal, North-West Province when four young children, walking several km in search of their mother and food, died of starvation. Gift of the Givers teams were dispatched to the area and found extensive hunger among thousands of people in the rural areas of this region. Food parcels and feeding was instituted immediately; thousands were assisted; Home Affairs was called in to issue ID documents to many who were not registered and could not access social grants but most people could not afford the fee to pay for these ID books.

In honour of those beloved children who perished from hunger, Gift of the Givers built a special kitchen in Motlhatswa Primary School (the school they attended) dedicated to their memory and have erected a plaque for all to remember that no one in South Africa, a resource rich country, should die from hunger again. Establishing the kitchen has cost R500 000; added to the food distributed intermittently over the last few months, Verdwaal has already cost more than R2.2 million in delivering assistance to the hungry in this area. In the interim the local councillor who went out of his way to assist us in that initial tragic phase has also passed on. In recognition of his dedicated service his name will also be etched in this plaque.

The kitchen officially opens tomorrow, 21 September 2012, at 13h30, where the plaque will be unveiled. As part of the opening ceremony 3000 people, including the learners and parents will be fed a hot, nutritious meal, a 1000 sweet packs will be distributed and the kitchen will be stocked up with supplies to continue the feeding.

Please see link for details on this project.
http://www.giftofthegivers.org/verdwaal-starvation-crisis/index.php

For more information contact Allauddin Sayed cell: 083 667 7179 or Emily Thomas cell: 083 652 0315 or call toll-free: 0800 786 777.

Imtiaz Sooliman
Gift of the Givers

NB. Gift of the Givers is involved in large scale food parcel distribution and feeding in South Africa, running into millions of rands, given the large scale poverty, unemployment and hunger in our country. Cash and non-perishable food items are always welcome as the demands on our resources are huge.

Relief Aid: Gift of the Givers

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR MARIKANA MINERS

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Pallo Jordan compares it to the Bhisho massacre, Archbishop Desmond Tutu compares it to an event from apartheid South Africa, negative images splash out on the front pages of the world media, the police top brass believe they took the right decision in the face of armed miners, the economists are anxious of the impact on foreign investors, human rights groups cry foul, the president sets up a commission of enquiry, 270 miners are charged with murder then released, a peace accord is signed by some, others refuse and various opinions emanate from various political commentators. In this time bomb of heated opinions, of right and wrong, of huge discrepancies in wages, the reality is that miners and their families are suffering.
Gift of the Givers are not political commentators nor are we aligned politically but we certainly are humanitarian in our approach. Whilst we are strongly of the opinion that the mining company should be responding to the humanitarian needs of its own employees given the loss of earnings and the tragic loss of life, we are driven by public opinion not to wait any longer for that response from the mining company which seems very unlikely. Already we have been inundated by groups and individuals who want to provide finance and goods in kind to assist these miners and families who are terribly distraught in the absence of income and food.

Accordingly, we are putting together a package of food supplies, high energy supplements and blankets to be delivered to as many families as we can support. It is our fervent hope that on receiving these supplies some of the hurt and anger will subside to allow a more conducive environment for a just and fair negotiation that will culminate in an equitable distribution of income in keeping with the high risk duties performed by these individuals who are human after all.

Those wanting to support this campaign can deposit into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Acc No. 052137228, Branch Code 057525. Fax or email deposit slip with your details to be acknowledged. Donations to Gift of the Givers are tax deductible. Items in kind are also welcomed.

Details www.giftofthegivers.org or toll-free 0800786911.

Imtiaz Sooliman
Gift of the Givers

Relief Aid: Gift of the Givers

YEMEN HUMANITARIAN MISSION FEEDBACK 

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Thank you for your support in sending emergency food aid to Yemen a few weeks ago.  The first 16 containers carrying 320 tons of supplies arrive in the Port of Hodeidah this week.  Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world where 15 million people go to bed hungry every night.

We have had wonderful co-operation from the Office of the Prime Minister in Yemen, the International Relations department, the various Governors and many other branches of the Yemeni government. 

Gift of the Givers is now registered as an international charity in Yemen, have opened an office there and have received all waivers on customs, duty and all taxes.  The second batch of 15 containers carrying 300 tons of supplies are being loaded this week.  Those still wanting to participate can contribute rice, tinned fish, oil, beans, flour, sugar and spaghetti or make cash contributions in the usual manner.


Imtiaz Sooliman
www.giftofthegivers.org

Snow Rescue: Kwazulu Natal (8 August 2012)

Courageous men and women of ER 24 and the SAPS were on a rescue mission to assist families and truck drivers who were caught up in the snow on the N3 between Howick and Villiers. As beautiful as the snow was the people were in danger for their lives due to the severe cold and having no access to food nor water. GOTG was immediately called to assist and we provided the people with Blankets to keep warm as well as other items whilst the ER 24 team assisted people who needed medical attention. It is moments like these when one appreciates being South African as the GOTG team ensured everyone received the goods to help sustain them.

GOTG provides:

250 Blankets
12 x 24 x 500ml Water
10 x 24 x 100g Choc Biscuits
2 x 6 x 10 Knorr Soup

Total Project Value: R13 620.00.

- Gift of the Givers

Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid

         

YEMEN DROUGHT: A LOOMING CATASTROPHE
Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients
It was exactly a year ago that we responded to the famine in Somalia.  One year on whilst still serving the Somali people we are now faced with an almost identical challenge in Yemen.

Political upheaval, clan conflict, random bombings, and now poor rainfall and a failed harvest resulting in escalating food prices and increasing levels of poverty has placed 10 million Yemenis on the brink of starvation.  Almost 300 000 Yemeni children (3 out of every 5) are severely  malnourished but the figures could be substantially higher.  Many children have died already with the chances of survival diminishing rapidly for those extremely ill unless international assistance is rapidly forthcoming.

Gift of the Givers has already commenced small scale feeding in the region but is preparing for a full scale emergency food and medical response with paediatricians, dietitians, emergency medicine specialists, primary health care nurses and general doctors.

Logistics around shipping, flights, ground support, hospital facilities, government co-operation, warehousing, internal transport, security (kidnapping of foreigners is common) and a range of related arrangements are fully in motion.

Medical volunteers wanting to be considered for this mission must email info@giftofthegivers.org or text 0828723811.  Our medical co-ordinators will respond to you timeously.

Those wanting to support the campaign can make deposits into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Acc No. 052278611, Branch Code 057525.  Please send copy of deposit slip by fax or email with contact details.  Details toll-free on 0800786911.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHpjzFZS_fs  

Imtiaz Sooliman
Cell: 083 236 4029

Gift of the Givers: Free State Tornado Disaster

                                                   FREE STATE TORNADO DISASTER
                                                                        Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

How can we not respond to a community that has exhibited overwhelming generosity to neighbours who lost material possessions, sustained physical injury and some ultimately paid with their lives through a freak tornado reminiscent of a similar disaster in Ficksburg and Duduza last year.

The South African spirit of ubuntu never fails and the compassion of our people never ceases to amaze.  Not a single soul had to endure the indignity of communal living in a hall provided for temporary shelter; neighbours in the true spirit of all scriptures "lived the word" and housed fellow humans with open arms in a period of crisis given the total loss of more than fifty houses and the concomitant effects of the biting Free State winter.

Gift of the Givers teams are on the way to Kestell with tents, blankets, mattresses, winter clothing, food parcels, supplies for bulk feeding and hygiene packs.  Our building teams are already at work preparing temporary shelters in the form of Zozo's, similar to the 120 we erected at Duduza and Ficksburg in the aftermath of that disaster.

Those South Africans wanting to contribute to fellow South Africans in their hour of need can do so in cash or kind.  Visit www.giftofthegivers.org or call 0800786911.  Further details Salim Sayed 0836512006.

Imtiaz Sooliman

RELEASE OF SA COUPLE HELD BY SOMALI PIRATES

RELEASE OF SA COUPLE HELD BY SOMALI PIRATES

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients
Gift of the Givers have been inundated by calls from the media regarding the apparent release of the SA couple by Somali pirates today.  We were initially involved in negotiations from end July to early January 2012. It was then that the family preferred to handle the negotiations personally.  We respectfully withdrew.

Following repeated media enquiries today we can confirm via our office in Mogadishu that the couple were in the Deputy Prime Minister's compound and have just boarded a flight to Nairobi.

This is the first picture taken of the couple at the Presidential Palace today, by cellphone.

For more details on developments please contact Dr Hashi, GOTG Somali representative, 073 000 4228.

Gift of the Givers wants to stress that the release is not through our doing.  All credit to the family and whoever else was involved. We are only serving as a conduit for of information for today's event.


Warm regards

Imtiaz Sooliman

Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid

WINTER WARMTH DISTRIBUTION IN ORIENTAL PLAZA

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

With the cold front severely affecting Gauteng, Gift of the Givers is all set to distribute blankets to the homeless and poor at the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg. Supporters are welcome to join us at 6pm tonight at gate 2.

2000 people will be fed and amongst the items to be distributed are disposable nappies, sanitary towels, overalls and socks.



Imtiaz Sooliman
Gift of the Givers

WINTER WARMTH 2012

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

It's that time of the year again where hunger and cold collectively causes intolerable suffering to already compromised men, women and children throughout our country. The years of travel through every corner of South Africa has exposed the unbelievable poverty, the cold floors, the absence of food, shoes, clothing, blankets and heating in general. We've even experienced death through hunger as witnessed in the Verdwaal region last year. Winter Warmth to us is not only about the distribution of new quality blankets but the distribution of new shoes, clothing, scarves, beanies, jerseys and whatever we can acquire that keeps people warm. The distribution of hot nutritious meals at the various sites where recipients collect their blankets undeniably confirms the necessity to combine feeding with blanket distribution. The sight of so many hungry and malnourished individuals not only in rural areas but within city metro's that boast huge economies is inconsistent with the wealth and resources that South Africa possesses.

Our 2012 Winter Warmth campaign launches in 3rd Street, Alexandra tomorrow at 1pm. We have opted not to have an exclusive media partner as many media nationally have expressed a willingness to participate in this year's programme which will be rolled out throughout South Africa as is standard practice with us. Generous offers of new quality blankets and cash to purchase the blankets that Gift of the Givers procures and distributes at a cost of R50 each have already started streaming in. Dali Tambo (People of the South), Talk Radio 702, Highveld 94.7, Alex fm and several media will be at the launch. The campaign then moves to Limpopo on Thursday, 10 May 2012, with full participation from Capricorn fm and other interested groups.

Corporates, smaller companies, professionals, individuals and various groups that usually support our campaign can continue to do as in previous years, contributing R50 per blanket or donating new blankets, clothes, food and related items. Cash contributions to Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, A/C 052137228, Branch Code 057525. For details on the Alex launch contact Allauddin on Cel. 0836677179. All other details www.giftofthegivers.org or 0800786777.

Imtiaz Sooliman
Cel. 0832364029

Gift of the Givers: Relief Aid - Congo

TRAUMA COUNSELLING TEAM FOR CONGO

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients
Loss of livelihood, privacy, dignity and loss of hope confront a nation who lost more than 500 lives in the 4 March explosion that wounded more than 2000 people necessitating several amputations and emergency medical care, destroyed 5000 homes, a school, church, police station and significantly, caused severe emotional and psychological trauma.  More than 20 tons of live unexploded ordinances have been recovered in Impila, a suburb of Brazzaville, where the initial disaster occurred and now poses a severe threat to residents returning against the advice of the government and explosive experts.  Thousands living in refugee camps, inadequate sanitation, lack of pure drinking water and above all a lack of family structure and intimacy has resulted in grief, bereavement and a host of psycho-social issues that requires specialised intervention for a highly traumatised population.

Having successfully delivered six plane loads of emergency humanitarian and medical relief items in association with the Department of International Relations, Gift of the Givers have now been requested by private NGO's in Brazzaville to send in a team of trauma counsellors that will partner the local university, interact with psychologists, social workers, masters students, lay counsellors and the affected population where skills transfer, counselling and courses on various techniques will be imparted to the Congolese people.  Congolese individuals involved in the great trauma previously experienced in Congo, university lecturers, pastors and specialist trainers comprise the 10-member team that leaves on Sunday.  The team will be hosted by a highly efficient NGO founded by the son of the Congolese President and has already partnered us on our two previous missions to Congo within the last 7 weeks.


Zohra Sooliman
Director-Counselling Services

SA donates R10m in aid to Congo

Johannesburg - The department of international relations has donated R10m in aid to victims of the explosion in Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo, a charity group said on Wednesday.

Gift of the Givers chairperson Imtiaz Sooliman said the money would be used to buy food, tents, blankets, water purification tablets, clothing, energy supplements, detergents and disinfectants for people in the city.

"[The department]... has made R10m available for this humanitarian aid package, including the sponsorship of two Iluyshin-76 aircraft with the joint capacity for 70 tons of supplies," he said in a statement.

"The items purchased will augment the R8m supplies already provided by Gift of the Givers and will be selected in a manner to avoid duplication, add what's 'missing' and double up what's still very necessary."

Sooliman said people in Brazzaville still needed urgent medical care and supplies.

"We have decided to make this intervention in the military hospital, where full co-operation and unrestricted access was granted to our teams."

This was the second time the department had helped an African country "in distress" within the past six months, he said.

The department contributed R4m in aid to the Somalia famine in October.

The first aid plane to Congo is scheduled to leave on April 1.

Over 200 people died when a munitions dump in the city exploded on March 4.

Sooliman said thousands suffered severe burns and major trauma. Some had to have amputations.

"Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, represents a war zone with thousands of homes, businesses and two churches destroyed," according to a statement posted on the charity's Facebook page.

- SAPA/News24

Video: Gift of the Givers - Republic of Congo, Brazzaville - 11/03/12

- Gift of the Givers