HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORTS BRING HOPE TO INANDA COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY DISASTERS

By Thandeka Dlamini

• The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the We Love You Foundation, launched a relief initiative in Inanda to support communities impacted by recent disasters in Durban and surrounding areas.
• The relief package includes 400 food parcels for affected households, laptops for Sthandimfundo High School students to enhance digital learning, and support to address compliance issues at the Sakhisizwe Old Age Home.
• With an emphasis on addressing immediate needs and fostering long-term resilience, the initiative underscores a shared commitment to rebuilding and uplifting KwaZulu-Natal’s most vulnerable communities.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development launched a humanitarian relief initiative today aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by communities hit hardest by recent disasters in Durban and surrounding areas.

Held at Newton A Hall in Inanda, the relief effort is a collaboration between the government and the private sector, with the We Love You Foundation playing a key role in providing essential support.

The recent disasters left many communities vulnerable, facing an uncertain future. MEC for Social Development, Ms Mbali Shinga, spoke passionately about the urgent need for assistance, emphasising that these crises have worsened the region’s existing challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

“These disasters have compounded the already difficult conditions our communities face,” said MEC Shinga. “Our collective responsibility is to ensure that relief reaches those in greatest need, providing a lifeline to help them rebuild and regain hope.”

As part of the effort, 400 food parcels are pledged for distribution across wards 42, 44, and 55, directly benefiting thousands of households and addressing immediate hunger and food insecurity, both critical issues for disaster-affected families.

In addition to immediate relief, the We Love You Foundation committed to long-term educational support, pledging laptops and desktops to Sthandimfundo High School in Ward 44. This donation aims to enhance students’ learning experiences and access to digital resources. “Investing in our children is investing in a better future for us all,” said MEC Shinga. “The foundation’s contribution will equip learners with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.” The computer delivery is expected within two weeks.

The relief efforts also reached elderly residents at the Sakhisizwe Old Age Home in Ward 42, where department officials identified compliance issues with the Older Persons Act of 2006, especially regarding the home’s registration under the Non-Profit Organisations Act. The Department has stepped in to help the facility meet required standards. “Our senior citizens are among the most vulnerable in our society, and we must ensure their living conditions meet legal standards,” Shinga stated. A project plan is being developed to address compliance issues, with continued support to ensure the facility remains safe and secure.

The event also addressed a pressing issue for Sthandimfundo High School students who lack identity documents, hindering their access to education. KZN Social Development will work closely with the Department of Basic Education and other departments, including Home Affairs, to resolve this through the Operation Sukuma Sakhe initiative. “No child should be excluded from education due to paperwork or infrastructure barriers. We are committed to removing these obstacles,” Shinga emphasised.

While the journey to recovery may be lengthy, the combined efforts of the public and private sectors offer a glimmer of hope to KZN’s affected communities. From food aid to educational resources and elderly care, today’s actions aim to rebuild communities shaken by disaster.

As MEC Shinga concluded, “Today is not just about delivering aid but marking the beginning of a journey toward healing and rebuilding. We stand together with the people of KZN, determined to empower them with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.”