In the past year, AfriForum has been able to bring much-needed relief to communities that have been hit hard by various disasters around the country. With 81 tonnes of fodder, AfriForum’s emergency fund helped hundreds of farmers throughout the year who suffered damage as a result of droughts and wildfires. In addition, this much-needed funds provided a total of 10 000 litres of drinking water to schools that were without it and with this donation saw to it that firefighters across the country could put out wildfires.

“In a year when the government repeatedly fell short and failed to respond urgently and adequately to disasters, this emergency fund filled some of these gaps. It is only through the support of many benevolent donors that AfriForum, through its emergency fund, has succeeded in providing aid to people affected by droughts, wildfires and floods,” says Tarien Cooks, Disaster Management Specialist for AfriForum.

AfriForum’s emergency fund also ensured that:

• 645 adults and children – from firefighters, flood victims, families without electricity and old age homes – were provided with meals;
• 2 800 litres of fuel were supplied to old age homes that were without electricity, to firefighters to extinguish wildfires and for the delivery of emergency supplies;
• 150 mattresses were given to flood victims who were without a place to live; and
• 100 lip balms were donated to firefighters.

Through its emergency fund, AfriForum spent almost R450 000 to ensure that the needs of victims of disasters are alleviated.

“This support would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors. It proved once again that communities are stronger when they work together and look after each other. We don’t wait for solutions, we create them,” says Cooks.

The coming year holds new and greater challenges, and every contribution can mean the difference between hope and despair, survival and misery. Visit www.afriforum.co.za and click on donations to contribute to the emergency fund.