The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) has spearheaded a donation drive to support their NGO partners, who respond to informal settlement fires and other disasters, Cape {town} Etc reports.
In the upcoming weeks, a series of activations will occur, where the public can get involved in helping to alleviate the ‘plight of those affected by these incidents’, according to a press statement issued by the City.
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‘Next to public safety, humanitarian relief in a crisis or disaster scenario is essential. The Disaster Risk Management Centre coordinates the City’s responses to crises, but it also leans on its NGO partners to step in,’ said Alderman JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety and Security.
‘Winter took quite a toll on resources, and in summer, we’re faced with the prospect of devastating fires, due to the extreme heat and windy conditions that are prevalent during this time. So there is always a need for humanitarian assistance,’ Smith added.
The DRMC, in collaboration with government departments and the relevant dedicated disaster relief partners, provide humanitarian relief to the affected communities.
‘There are unfortunately capacity gaps in humanitarian relief and we are reliant on the assistance of NGOs and private donors in the provision of relief,’ said Smith.
We are launching a donation drive to build relief capacity and supplies to assist our partners who work with us and don’t hesitate when called upon,’ Smith added.
The first of a series of activations occurred outside the Zevenwacht Mall Spar on Friday, 15 November, from 9am until 4pm.
The call for donations includes non-perishable foodstuff, personal hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste, face cloths, sanitary towels, nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets and bedding.
Donations will assist the DRMC in packing grocery hampers for indigent families that could be affected by disaster incidents.
Activations will take place at Kenilworth Centre, N1 City, Promenade Mall and Westgate Mall, while the dates and times of these activations will be made available as soon as they are finalised.
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook
