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The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) is spearheading a donation drive in support of their NGO partners who respond to informal settlement fires and other disasters. A series of activations will take place in the coming weeks where the public can get involved in alleviating the plight of those affected by these incidents.

‘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. 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,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Humanitarian relief is provided to affected communities through collaboration between DRMC, government departments and the many dedicated disaster relief partners.

‘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. 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,’ said Alderman Smith.

The first of a series of activations is taking place outside the Zevenwacht Mall Spar today, Friday, 15 November 2024, from 09:00 until 16:00.

The call for donations includes non-perishable foodstuff, personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, face cloths, sanitary towels), nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets/bedding .

Donations will enable DRM to pack grocery hampers for indigent families that could be affected by disaster incidents. 

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to general relief efforts, but also just to ease the load on the City’s NGO partners, is encouraged to do so.

Activations will take place at Kenilworth Centre, N1 City, Promenade Mall and Westgate Mall. The dates and times of these will be made available as soon as they are finalised. 

Issued by the City of Cape Town