Corporates need to partner up with government to help fight Covid-19
With scores of households going to bed without food during this Covid-19 lockdown, corporations have been called to rise to the occasion and support communities who are finding it difficult to cope.
Disadvantaged communities living on the fringes and far-flung informal settlements and low-cost housing have been the most affected by the widespread impact of the lockdown to prevent the spread of the Covid19 pandemic.
Residents in these communities look up to the government to conduct a health assessment for them. Congestion in these informal residential settlements has made them a fertile breeding ground for the spread of the disease.
Hunger and malnutrition appear to be the biggest fear threatening the lives of many people living in informal settlements. A large portion of this population does not have access to health-care systems, as well as basic resources such as access to clean running water.
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Hand sanitisers, cleaning wipes, and the luxury of being able to isolate themselves, should they or anyone in the families get infected, are things none of them can afford. And in the face of these severe socio-economic realities, many corporations and organisations can do more to alleviate the heavy burden that is breaking the backs of many households.
According to Neil Reddy, business strategy and project manager at Veer Steel Mills, the critical consideration in dealing with Covid-19 is to understand that it is experienced equally by all South Africans.
We are all feeling the effects of this pandemic, depending on where you reside and who you live with, how you earn money, your mental and physical health, and your access to health-care and basic amenities.
Our strength and solidarity as a community is entirely dependent on the lengths we as individuals and as organisations are willing to go to ensure that the bottom of the pyramid experiences as little impact as possible.
Reddy said the South African government has responded quickly and decisively in dealing with the outbreak of Covid-19, but they cannot work in isolation in mitigating the spread of the virus. Reddy believes that the government needs the support and innovation of the private sector more than ever.
Government has set the tone in terms of leadership and direction in response to Covid-19, and we are prepared to serve the communities in which we operate.
entering into partnerships with the government, we are able to leverage off of existing community initiatives to maximise on their impact. The onus is on community leaders, business owners, non-profit organisations and municipalities alike to combine expertise, pool resources, and drive education to combat this threat.
As part of our community-level response to the coronavirus, we have partnered with the City of Ekurhuleni and their Department of Community Safety, headed by MMC Phaladi Frans Mmoko, to donate 300 food parcels to indigent families in Thembisa and Germiston.
The areas surrounding Veer Steel Mills are in dire need of necessities and ongoing support such as toiletries and groceries. These communities are the lifeblood of our company, it is our responsibility to ensure that they are provided for said Reddy.
Furthermore, a mindset shift is needed to ensure that communities are best equipped to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Communication campaigns, tailored to local languages and with customs and cultures kept in mind, must be in place to consistently raise awareness, reinforce health-care best practices, and instill a sense of accountability within areas.
An education exercise is essential to not only protect our workforce but to also equip them with the knowledge to keep their families, neighbours, and communities safe and sanitised.
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We have had to recondition our staff to operate safely under this new normal while at work, but we have also provided them with material to better identify symptoms and understand necessary hygiene and sanitisation measures, says Reddy.
The Ethiopian business community in Vosloorus also joined the food parcel charity handouts from their local wholesalers. A large percentage of the local Muslim and non-Muslim members of the community received food hampers from local Ethiopian businesses.
Vulnerable communities cannot be isolated in their struggle. In the spirit of Ubuntu, it is the responsibility of every South African to fight the spread of Covid-19. In order for this fight to be effective, we are reliant upon South African ingenuity, compassion, and collaboration to support one another during this pandemic,?concluded Reddy.
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