Hundreds of families left destitute and displaced by the recent natural disasters in Kwa-Zulu Natal will benefit from nearly R2 million in support from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
In the aftermath of the devastating floods, the state entity has partnered with a community development organisation, Rhiza Babuyile, to provide relief for communities affected by floods and landslides in the province.
More than 2 500 people are expected to benefit from relief efforts that will be carried out over the next four months. The support will include the provision of food, medical care, and blankets. Rhiza Babuyile will oversee the distribution of rescue packs including food and blankets, as well as deploy nurses and community healthcare workers to provide much needed primary medical healthcare to affected communities. Relief efforts stemming from this donation will be focused in Umlazi, Inanda, Durban, and surrounding areas.
“We are on the ground, responding to the aftermath of the recent natural disasters which have plagued the province and left communities without important infrastructure leaving them destitute and without vital services and goods,” says Rhiza Babuyile CEO, Rashuping Morake.
“The IDC is not only focused on developing our country’s economy through investing in businesses, but we are very concerned about the wellbeing and safety of our fellow citizens who are an integral part of the communities we invest in. We believe our partnership with Rhiza Babuyile and their excellent track record bodes well in assisting us to restore affected communities’ lives and assist the KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial government in their efforts to rebuild the province,” adds Tshepo Ramodibe, the IDC’s Head of Corporate Affairs.
This initiative highlights the agility and importance of collaboration between community organisations and private and public organisations in times of disaster. It is partnerships like these which enable fast and effective relief during crises in hard-to-reach areas.
The floods, which hit the province in April this year during torrential rainstorms, destroyed over 85 healthcare facilities including local clinics, district and regional hospitals in the eThekwini, King Cestshwayo, iLembe, uMgungundlovu and Ugu districts. This has left thousands of patients being redirected to facilities which are impossible for them to reach, while many have been left with nowhere to go for their immediate healthcare needs.
“Partnerships between locally based community organisations and government institutions have proven to be most effective in responding to this level of crisis in the past and we credit the IDC for entrusting Rhiza Babuyile with the responsibility to save lives and help KZN rebuild itself from a state of disaster to prosperity,” concludes Morake.
Rhiza Babuyile has already been working in KZN communities where women and children, in particular, have been in distress and need of healthcare and other immediate needs, this funding will amplify their efforts.
More information about the organisation can be found at https://r-b.org.za
