19 Dec IDC partners with the Gift of the Givers, Red Cross Society and Meals on Wheels in R2.8 million Jagersfontein Relief Efforts
Jagersfontein, Free State: Although most of the country and people across the globe are well into the swing of year end festivities, the same cannot be said for some families from the areas of Charlesville and Itumeleng who are still suffering from the devastation of the tailings dam collapse nearly eight weeks ago. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), as part of its humanitarian relief efforts has contributed R 2.8 million to support on-the-ground partners Gift of the Givers, the Red Cross Society and Meals on Wheels to assist over 1 000 affected families with recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“As a development funding institution with a mandate to contribute to social development, we have partnered with various community-based organisations and NGOs who have expertise in disaster management to play our part in assisting not only the community of Jagersfontein but other communities across the country who have been hard hit by floods and other disasters. Our role in society extends beyond a catalytic one for the country’s economy, we are also heavily invested in assisting fellow citizens with humanitarian aid. Timely humanitarian response and partnering with organisations such as the Red Cross Society is key to us being of service to our communities,” says Tshepo Ramodibe, the IDC’s Head of Corporate Affairs.
The relief to the communities of Charlesville and Itumeleng includes building homes for some of the families whose homes were completely destroyed in the tragedy, meals, hygiene packs, as well as psychological assistance to help them deal with the devastating loss of lives, property and rebuilding their lives from scratch.
Partnering with the IDC as the South African Red Cross Society has enhanced the work that we have been able to do with the Jaggersfontein community and we would like to highly appreciate the support given by IDC. As SARCS our motto is always needed always there, we will continue to support and assist our communities and we believe that through such partnerships we can achieve more,” says Claudia Mangwegape from the South African
Red Cross Society.
Efforts are also underway to rebuild some of the infrastructure that was damaged by the floods.