Six million facing hunger in southern Africa-IFRC

Zimbabwean children carry vegetables as they walk past a house in Hatcliff outside Harare, Zimbabwe, November 15, 2012. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

GENEVA, March 4 (Reuters) - More than 6 million people across Angola, Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe are at risk of severe food shortages because of repeated cycles of drought and flooding, the global humanitarian body IFRC said on Monday.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the crisis was passing largely unnoticed in the outside world and its appeals for financial support had won limited support.

"This is a chronic crisis in which cycles of drought and flooding are destroying crops, livestock and safe drinking-water supplies. People don't have enough to eat or clean water to drink," said IFRC official Alexander Matheou.

"Malaria, cholera and diarrhoea are common," said Matheou, the Geneva-based body's regional representative in southern Africa, in a statement distributed to a news briefing.

The IFRC said four countries were suffering particularly badly, with 725,000 people in Lesotho - about 40 per cent of the country's population - hit by the crisis.

Nearly 2 million were at risk in Malawi, more than 1.8 million in Angola, and 1.6 million in rural areas of Zimbabwe. In all four, rates of child malnutrition were soaring, reaching 50 percent more than last year in some areas.

An additional complication, Matheou said, was the prevalence of HIV across southern Africa.

Some 34 percent of people around the world carrying the disease live in the region, and 23.2 percent of Lesotho's population were infected, the globe's third highest rate among adults, the IFRC official said.

The organisation said lack of food can undermine efforts to counter the spread of HIV, because the sickening effect that the anti-retroviral treatment has on an empty stomach deters many sufferers from taking it.

"There needs to be a large-scale, well-funded, coordinated effort between governments, businesses and humanitarian and development agencies to alleviate immediate suffering and support people to build economically viable lives," said Matheou.

An appeal to donors in October for 1,119,000 Swiss francs ($1.2 million) to fund IFRC programmes in Lesotho had so far brought in only 17 percent. Another for Angola for 1,562,562 Swiss francs had been only 4 percent met.

Appeals for Malawi and Zimbabwe in October and December had had a better response with 57 percent of the total sought for Malawi, 1,025,310 Swiss francs, and 33 percent of the 1,290,342 Swiss francs sought for Zimbabwe now received. ($1 = 0.9453 Swiss francs)

- AlertNet

Mozambique: Flooding - Office of the Resident Coordinator, Situation Report No. 3 (as of 4th February 2013)

Highlights

• Coordination activities have been reinforced by the Government with the set-up of a mobile emergency operations center in Xai-Xai, capital of Gaza Province.
• Response in Gaza Province is ongoing. Air drop and air bridges are ensuring provision of humanitarian assistance to people stranded in isolated districts.
• Health and sanitation concerns are emerging in flood-affected districts where water levels are receding, where proper cleaning up and restoration of basic health service are priority.
• In Zambezia and Nampula Provinces (Central and North regions), 15 people died due to heavy rains, which have affected about 60,000 people and caused total or partial damage about of about 6,000 houses.
• Funding requirements for humanitarian and recovery needs in the next 6 months have been estimated at USD 30.6 million in Gaza Province.
  
  
  Full report available HERE
  
  

SA farmers helping ease Mozambique food crisis

Cattle being guided away from the Limpopo River, which burst its banks in southern Mozambique about two weeks ago leading to severe flooding. Most of the farmland in the region was devastated by the floods, sparking fears of a food crisis Picture: KEVIN SUTHERLAND

South African farmers are coming to the aid of their Mozambican counterparts, whose lands were devastated in the flooding that killed more than 80 people and put the lives of thousands at risk.

Many farms in southern Mozambique are under water. Equipment, crops and seed have been destroyed and thousands of animals drowned.

The cost of the flooding has yet to be determined.

"It is millions and millions of dollars," said Gaza provincial agriculture director Ernesto Paulino.

"But this is not the worst. The exact toll will only be known when harvest time comes. Only then will we know how bad it is and how bad it's going to get."

Xai Xai and Chokwe, towns in Gaza, were at the heart of the flooding.

Paulino, who has organised farmers into groups to try to salvage the little equipment, seeds and crops they have, said the destruction of 90000ha of farmland around Xai Xai would affect the food security of more than 400000 people.

More than 76000 families were facing immediate food shortages.

"This is a serious problem ... We have lost everything - from maize fields to vegetable fields," he said.

Millions of rands worth of seed and maize have been pledged to the Mozambicans by farmers in the Free State and North West. The first truckload is expected to arrive in the country today.

The founder of South African humanitarian aid agency Gift of the Givers, Imtiaz Sooliman, said the first consignment of seed and maize, valued at R20-million, was on its way to Mozambique.

"Not only businesses have opened their hearts, but so too have our farmers. Since the call went out, our phones have not stopped ringing," he said.

Paulino said the help was a blessing.

"Every little bit that comes is greatly appreciated," he said.

- Times Live

Floods leave trail of suffering and despair

A Mozambican woman displaced by floods collects food parcels at a feeding station set up by Gift of the Givers and the SA National Defence Force near Chokwe, southern Mozambique Picture: KEVIN SUTHERLAND

With fear etched in her face, Salino Chauke clutches a dirty sheet close to her chest.

Wracked with pain, she sings softly as she rocks back and forth, tears welling in her eyes.

Beneath the soiled red and black sheet is Fetina, her youngest child, a three-month-old boy.

For days, with nothing but a bag of maize meal and several bottles of water, the Mozambican mother and her two sisters have been walking. Their reason for walking nearly 70km was to seekshelter, food and medical help from the Gift of the Givers aid workers and South African soldiers and medics.

The sisters fled their home in Gaza province when neighbouring villagers ran to alert them of approaching flood waters.

Within minutes their home was swamped. Rapidly rising waters from the swollen Limpopo River forced them to make drastic and potentially deadly choices: stay and drown or flee while you still can. They and thousands of others chose the latter.

For days, families of about 20 000 people who were left behind gather at the Chokwe displaced people's camp waiting for news of their loved ones.

Those left behind were either too old or too frail to flee.

With their youngest children clutched to their chests, the sisters ran, abandoning their seven older children and a wheelchair-bound uncle.

"You can help me, you can find them," says Chauke, her eyes seeking confirmation.

Clutching Fetina close to her chest as he cries, Chauke rocks back and forth, singing lullabies.

Fetina has not been fed for days. Chauke's breast milk has dried up because of a lack of food.

Her last meal was two days before the floods, which have claimed 80 lives and displaced nearly 200000 . "It's okay," Chauke whispers to Fetina, "It's okay."

The she turns to the South Africans: "Please help us. I tried to phone them, but there is no one. The phones are dead. I just want to know they're alive. That is all. Even if I have lost my house I just want my children to be alright.

"They say South Africans can help. You are South Africans, please help us."

Survivors are desperate for assistance, for news on any survivors. A mother, who escaped with her two children, has resigned herself to her fate.

A neighbour, who escaped the rising waters with her in a small boat, says the woman's husband and two older children drowned while helping her and their younger siblings.

"Her two children are all that she has ... They and the plastic covering them."

For SA National Defence Force dietician Faith Sketana, the plight of the displaced is difficult.

"Where do you start? For every one you help there are hundreds others. Everywhere you look, someone has lost someone, is hungry, needs shelter. It is really difficult.''

"We just have to carry on doing the best we can," Sketana says.

Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said the need was massive.

"The challenges are tough, but we will do it ... We are helping wherever we can, even to just provide comfort."

After being given a packet of rice, Chauke asks for one thing: "Please do not forget.

''Do not forget us when you go home. We will never forget what you have done for us - what South Africa did for Chokwe."

- Times Live

Plan to steal aid from flood victims

The South African Airforce is helping thousands of Mozambicans who have been displaced by floods which ravaged the country. At least 70 people were killed in the floods and 150 000 were left homeless. The Gift of the Givers has sent a team to deliver goods to help with the rescue efforts. Picture: DANIEL BORN. 30/01/2013. © THE TIMES Image by: DANIEL BORN

The uncovering of a scheme to steal millions of rands worth of humanitarian aid intended for 60000 Mozambique flood survivors has forced South African aid agency Gift of the Givers to withdraw from the country's biggest displaced people's camp.

Hours before nearly R2-million worth of aid was to be distributed yesterday in the camp outside Chokwe - near the centre of the area in which floods 10 days ago killed 80 people and displaced nearly 200000 - the organisation discovered that the camp's administrators had created fake lists of beneficiaries.

The needy victims of the floods, especially the thousands of women and children living in the camp, were the intended recipients of the aid.

The order for the withdrawal of the Gift of the Givers team was given when the charity's founder, Imtiaz Sooliman, discovered that at the top of the list of aid recipients were the camp's administrators and their families.

"Things went wrong because of the Mozambican government officials. I issued instructions for lists containing the names of women and children, and of the elderly and sick, to be given to me today. Instead we discovered these bogus and fictitious lists with the names of people not in need of anything.

"They were taking from the people we were meant to be helping."

Sooliman said Gift of the Givers had immediately withdrawn their aid and set up links with church groups operating in the village of Hokwe.

More than 3500 families - many of them with severely ill infants - who lived in Chokwe fled to Hokwe when the floods struck.

Within moments of the food trucks and ambulances, along with South African soldiers, arriving in Hokwe people ran to the village centre to beg for assistance.

Church elder Domingos Utui said the situation was desperate.

"We have many families camping in empty schools and buildings. They fled here because they had nowhere to go.

"The government has been slow to provide assistance and the people had no choice but to come to us.

"We have nothing to help them with ... our villages have run out of food. Your presence here is an answer to our prayers. Without South Africa's help many would have died," said Utui.

Sooliman said his organisation would stay in Hokwe for as long as needed.

"We are giving food straight to the people ... it is not going to any administrators or government officials. We are distributing special baby food, porridge, beans, rice, maize meal and water, along with clothing and sanitary wear."

- Times Live

"We have much to do," says UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Chokwe

Maputo, 31 January 2013 - “Basic needs are being met, such as food, water, and shelter, despite very difficult conditions in many areas of the flooding,” says United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Jennifer Topping at the end of her visit on Wednesday to Chiaquelane camp, where about 70,000 have sought refuge from the flooding of the Limpopo River.

Ms. Topping travelled to the camp together with UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador Stewart Sukuma and the representative for UNICEF Mozambique Jesper Morch, who also was optimistic about the response.

“Contingency plans by the UN and by the Government of Mozambique are working well, we are up to speed and working in a timely manner,” said Mr. Morch.

They both agreed however that much more needed to be done to make sure adequate help was reaching those who needed it the most.

“We still have areas that are inaccessible,” said Ms. Topping. “Not everyone is receiving help and demands are very high. There is much work ahead for all of us.”

To date, about 150,000 people have been displaced by the flooding of the Limpopo River in Gaza Province, and are now living in temporary settlements in the area, including in Chiaquelane, which has the largest number of displaced.

A drive through Chokwe, hit hard by the flooding, revealed a near-deserted city, but for a few residents who either never left or are back to begin the long, arduous job of cleaning up their homes and neighbourhoods.

But receding waters in the city are leaving mud, dirt, and animal cadavers behind, with the risk of disease becoming a major concern.

“Together with government we are treating this as a top priority but we are under-resourced,” said Ms. Topping. “Our aid supplies in-country are becoming depleted and we will need additional funds to make sure we have what we need to help people recover from this terrible tragedy,” she said.

This week, the UN Humanitarian Country Team in Mozambique has requested the release of emergency UN funds totalling about $5 million to cover the costs of the initial phase of the humanitarian effort. More funds will be requested from the wider donor community early next week.

Patricia Nakell Communication Specialist UNICEF Mozambique

- ReliefWeb

UNICEF scales up support to Malawi’s Flood Victims as rains persist

Floods displace over 33 000 people and destroy schools

LILONGWE, 01 February 2013- UNICEF is scaling up its emergency assistance in Malawi after flooding has hit the country’s southern region. A recent inter-agency assessment estimated that over 33,000 people have been displaced leaving many people without shelter or clothing. Crops have been destroyed in Mangochi, Phalombe and Nsanje districts, while over 20 schools have been disrupted, affecting thousands of children.

“Communities, government, NGOs and the UN are working together to avert a humanitarian disaster,” said Mr. Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF Country Representative in Malawi. “But the rains are persistent and we remain on high alert as the flooding spreads to other areas.”

The persistent rains have destroyed roads making access to flooded areas difficult for the delivery of relief materials. Food, emergency shelter, medical supplies and other non-food household items such as blankets, buckets and pots are urgently needed for the affected amilies. The flooding has also compromised access to safe water, sanitation and overall hygiene in the affected communities.

In response, UNICEF is providing communities with a combination of water, sanitation and hygiene-related supplies. Supplies include chlorine, soap, water purification chemicals, plastic sheeting for construction of temporary bathing and latrine shelters, as well as hygiene awareness campaigns to prevent the risk of cholera.

Many displaced families have sought shelter in schools using them as kitchens and bedrooms resulting in considerable damage to school furniture and disruption in learning in at least 20 locations. UNICEF has provided the school-in-a-box supplies to ensure that quality learning resumes in the affected primary schools.

“Vital supplies are getting through to stricken communities,” said Mr. Mdoe. “But as UNICEF we remain vigilant, monitoring childhood diseases, ensuring schools are functional and that children go back to learning.”

Despite the flooding, Mangochi, Phalombe, and Nsanje are also among the districts hit hardest by the current drought, which has left nearly 2 million people food insecure and children at a high risk of malnutrition and disease across the country.

- ReliefWeb

Mozambique: Floods - Preliminary Emergency appeal n° MDRMZ010

This Preliminary Emergency Appeal seeks CHF 662,337 in cash, kind, or services to support the Mozambique Red Cross Society (CVM) to assist 15,000 beneficiaries for 6 months, and will be completed by the 1 August, 2013. A Final Report will be made available by 1 November 2013 (three months after the end of the operation).

CHF 300,000 was allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support this operation. Unearmarked funds to replenish DREF are encouraged.

Summary: Since early January 2013, heavy rains are continuing in southern and central Mozambique and throughout Southern Africa region. These torrential rains have caused destruction of houses, schools, health centres and crops, forcing the affected populations to leave their homes in search of safer areas, mainly in Maputo City, Gaza and Inhambane Provinces. To date, some 143,408 people (28,701 households) have been affected.

Based on the situation, this Preliminary Emergency Appeal responds to a request from the Mozambique National Society, and focuses on providing support to take an appropriate and timely response in delivering assistance and relief in the following sectors: relief, emergency shelter, emergency health, water, and sanitation and hygiene promotion.

The IFRC has sent a Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT) to support the National Society with initial assessments, coordination and planning / implementation of the initial response. The FACT will work with the CVM to decide on other support required.

Full report and appeal available HERE. 

- ReliefWeb

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

Limpopo flood victims need aid

Resources for providing support and relief to the flood victims in Limpopo were running low, the SA Red Cross Society in the province said on Thursday.

A call had been sent out to people in the public and private sectors to offer assistance by donating relief items, said provincial secretary general Gerry Elsdon.

"We call on all ordinary people and companies to assist the Red Cross in responding to the immediate needs of all the affected communities," said Elsdon.

About 2500 people from three districts in the Lowveld and Escarpment areas of the province have been directly affected by the recent extreme rainfalls.

Capricorn, Mopani and Vhembe were among the districts which were worst affected.

The SARCS in the province has been assisting government in its disaster preparedness efforts since a weather alert was released on January 17.

On Thursday, the SARCS provided a mobile soup kitchen and food to the community of Alldays, who were relocated into a community hall.

Elsdon said that since the beginning of the floods, the organisation had dispatched teams to assist the stranded affected communities.

"The reality is our resources are running low, and we must now reach out to business and communities in South Africa for more support and relief items, as there is more work to be done in providing relief."

Elsdon said the organisation's branch in the Vhembe district was in need of more support than could currently be provided.

Clothes, blankets, non-perishable foods and hygiene packs were among the relief items required.

- Times Live

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

Al-Imdaad Foundation helps Sasolberg residents after devastating storm

The Al-Imdaad Foundation provided emergency aid to Sasolberg residents after the area was hit by a violent storm on January 2, 2013.

Heavy rains struck Sasolberg and affected over 1 000 residents. The Al-Imdaad Foundation in partnership with the Sedgars Group and the Metsimaholo Mayor Councillor Brutus Mahlaku, distributed 200 food hampers and 200 blankets to the hardest hit residents on January 4, 2013.

---END---

Mom desperate for a real home

A Durban family has been living in a community hall for four years since their home was destroyed in a storm.

Maria Ngcobo and her three daughters have cooked, bathed and slept in the Inanda Newtown Community Hall, which is used for holding meetings and for religious ceremonies.

Desperate to move into the house promised to her by the eThekwini Municipality in 2009, her situation worsened with the death of one of her daughters last year.

"It was the most painful period in my life. Having no alternative, we had to hold her memorial service in the community hall while a meeting was under way. That's what one has to pay for being poor," she said.

City officials assured her in 2009 that living in the hall was a temporary measure while a new home was being found for her family, Ngcobo said.

"Staying at the community hall for this long is hard. Life is very difficult here. You have to do everything in one open space. You cook, bathe and sleep there. When it's cold, it feels as if you are sleeping under the blue sky," she said.

Ngcobo is doing odd jobs to ensure that her children are fed and educated. Her eldest daughter is a third-year university student.

"She is my hope for getting out of this poverty and misery."

Municipal spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said the city was unaware of the family's plight: "We will find out what exactly happened."

- Times Live

Relief Aid: Gift of the Givers - Shack Fires in Port Elizabeth

SHACK FIRES IN PE

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

It is the most unbelievable beginning to a New Year in respect of human tragedy in South Africa; the death toll from road deaths is horrendous; shack fires on New Year's day kill 3 and displace 4000; and now another crisis as 2000 are rendered homeless in a shack fire in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Gift of the Givers has responded to the Khayelitsha Shack Fires and is awaiting approval from the Western Cape Disaster Management to go ahead with the immediate construction of 100 homes.

In the meantime response teams and emergency supplies were sent out at in the early hours around 2am from our Cape Town office today to assist the 300 affected families in Port Elizabeth. Additional personnel, including our in-house building team, and supplies including pre-built panels to erect 10 Zozo's will depart from Johannesburg sometime today as we have pledged a 100 houses for Port Elizabeth also. We have been promised full co-operation by Water Affairs Minister, Ednah Molewa, through her "Working on Fire" programme. The minister called us last night at 11.

We have been very fortunate in that though our offices are closed many of our response teams are presently in Cape Town visiting family and friends. The logistics and management for Port Elizabeth and Cape Town will all be co-ordinated through our Cape Town offices with additional support staff having been recalled from vacation and departing from Johannesburg later today.

Details:

Allauddin 0836677179
Gawa 0836613035
Ali 0826514195
Office 021 6387909

Imtiaz Sooliman
Cel. 0832364029

R30m approved for flood damage in Port Alfred

TREASURY has approved the R30 760 000 the municipality requested to repair urgent flood damage, mayor Sipho Tandani announced in a press meeting last week.

While initially Cacadu was going to receive the money for all the municipalities in the district and distribute accordingly, Treasury has now decided it will go directly to where it is needed for speedy implementation, he said.

According to infrastructure director Xolani Masiza, work will commence on January 3, after which they have three months to show the money has been spent on the intended projects.

Tandani said Ndlambe was the only municipality to get what it asked for in the district.

"This is dependent on the strength of our business plan,” he said.

"I must commend Masiza, the municipal manager and councillors for their enthusiasm and courage during this difficult time.”

He said Ndlambe's business plan was being used as a model for the whole country.

Certain areas have been identified as immediate concerns.

"I know there will be irresponsible people asking about Medolino. It is part of the business plan,” said Tandani.

Bushman's River, Saltvlei Road and New Rest were also included in the business plan. Masiza said they will not just do remedial work – it must be permanent. However people must not expect much, he said, implying the money does not go far.

After a resolution has come from the full council, the council's recess committee will decide which projects to do first.

Masiza and municipal manager Rolly Dumezweni will be in charge of procurement. Tandani said they would not be using unqualified people but will be using their supplier database.

He said work had already started on rural roads towards Shaw Park and Martindale, as well on Atherstone Road.

Council is expecting a further R77-million to be approved for severe damage.

- Talk of the Town

Public donations welcome for Khayelitsha fire

The City of Cape Town is facilitating donations from any members of the public who would like to contribute to disaster relief operations, following the fire in BM Section, Khayelitsha on New Year’s Day.

The City’s Disaster Response teams are currently hard at work, providing emergency relief to assist the approximately 3 000 people who were affected. They are being provided with hot meals, water, and blankets as well as emergency shelter at the O.R. Tambo Community Hall.

The City is doing everything in its power to aid the victims with relief efforts, however additional donations would be welcomed and the following items are appreciated:

· Fresh or tinned food
· Cooking supplies
· Furniture
· Blankets
· Health care and hygiene products
· Bottled water
· Blankets
· Mattresses
· Clothing
· Anything else that you think may be of use

Donations can be delivered to the following City of Cape Town drop-off points:

· Central Fire Station, Roeland Street, Cape Town
· Fish Hoek Fire Station, Central Circle/7th Avenue, Fish Hoek
· Milnerton Fire Station, Koeberg Road, Milnerton
· Wynberg Fire Station, Wetton/Prince George Drive, Wynberg
· Somerset West Fire Station, c/o Oak and Spuiker Street, Somerset West
· Strand Fire Station, Broadway/George Road, Strand
· Goodwood Fire Station, c/o Frans Conradie and Hugo Street, Goodwood

Members of the public can also give monetary donations. Such donations allow disaster relief agencies and voluntary organisations to obtain goods for and provide services to victims. Donations can be deposited into the following account:

Name of account holder
City of Cape Town

Financial institution
ABSA Bank Limited

Bank account number
4056584569

Branch
Public Sector – Western Cape

Branch code
632005

SWIFT number
ABSAZAJJCCT

Reference number
192110255

Banking beneficiary details
· The City of Cape Town has been setup with all the major banks as a beneficiary.

· The customer/donor can log on his/her financial institution’s website and choose “City of Cape Town Municipality” as beneficiary.

· The beneficiary will be required to use the 9 digit reference number.

· The pre-set beneficiary is linked to the City’s relevant bank account.

The City is currently engaging the community to clear the site and to redesign the area to create a safer environment and mitigate any future fires.

End

Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration & Special Projects, City of Cape Town

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

Gift of the Givers: Khayelitsha Relief Aid

KHAYELITSHA NEW YEAR SHACK FIRES 

Greetings of Peace

Dear Recipients

Here's wishing our matrics all the best with their results.  To all South Africans we pray for a blessed, prosperous and successful 2013 where health, happiness, sustenance and spirituality abound.  In welcoming the New Year 2013 we find ourselves in a situation where 4000 fellow South Africans have been rendered homeless following a devastating shack fire in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on New Year's day.  Most inhabitants have lost everything and their only possessions are the clothes they are wearing.  Children are faced with the prospect of going to school with no stationery or school uniforms.

Isn't it appropriate in the spirit of the festive season that humans respond to fellow humans who have lost everything?  Isn't that the ultimate message and spirit of the year end celebrations which has to be translated into positive action?  Gift of the Givers Cape Town office re-opens to respond to the crisis.  Blankets, food parcels, clothing, corrugated sheeting, uniforms, stationery, sanitary pads, disposable nappies and dishes will be provided.

Those wanting to assist can deliver relevant items to 45 Noll Avenue, Athlone Industria, Cape Town.  Cash contributions into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account No. 052137228, Branch code 057525.  Please fax or email deposit slip with contact details.  Contributions to Gift of the Givers are tax-deductible.  All requests for a Section 18 certificate to laila@giftofthegivers.org

Details Gawa Sayed on 0836613035 or 021 6387909.

Imtiaz Sooliman
Cel 0832364029

Mfuleni fire victims to receive Christmas gift to the value of R10 000 from Shoprite

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre and Shoprite will assist the fire victims that lost all their belongings in a fire in Mfuleni last week.

On Monday 17 December 2012 a fire destroyed 60 wood and iron structures, resulting in the displacement of 250 people at Baba Street, Extension 6, Mfuleni.

The City assisted the fire victims with baby packs, clothing and hot meals until yesterday.

This morning the Shoprite Group of Companies sent out its soup truck to feed the fire victims.

A consignment of clothing and building kits will also be provided to the fire victims by the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre.

Shoprite will further assist by providing the victims with food vouchers to the value of R10 000,00.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman Jean-Pierre Smith, will join the Divisional Finance Manager of Shoprite Western Cape for the handing over of the vouchers.

Date: Monday 24 December 2012
Time: 13:00 – 14:00
Venue: Baba Street, Extension 6, Mfuleni.

All media are welcome to attend.

End

Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department, City of Cape Town

Source: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects & Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

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