Afriforum opens 24-hour crisis line
The call centre will immediately after an emergency call related to crime has been received, call, among other, the police, the caller’s neighbours and family, security company and the nearest AfriForum community safety structure or community watch
The civil rights organisation, AfriForum, introduced a 24-hour crisis line where the organisation’s more than 115 000 members and their families can report crime and other emergencies and request emergency assistance telephonically.
According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, his organisation decided to launch this service, named AfriForum 911, for its members in view of the growing crime crisis in the country and the fact that the police are often slow to react in emergency situations.
“Where the government fails in its basic responsibilities to ensure citizens’ safety, we have to do all we can ourselves to ensure our members’ safety,” Kriel said.
The call centre, where the crisis line will be manned 365 days a year, will immediately after an emergency call related to crime has been received, call, among other, the police, the caller’s neighbours and family, security company and the nearest AfriForum community safety structure or community watch, to request assistance. AfriForum’s members can register the contact details of those who must be contacted in emergencies at www.afriforum911.co.za
Kriel further mentioned that medical emergencies can also be reported at the call centre, after which an ambulance will be requested on behalf of the caller. “Because members register information on medical aid membership, blood group and allergies beforehand, it makes emergency medical assistance easier,” Kriel added. According to him, telephonic trauma counselling and health advice are also offered.
As part of the service, every member receives a green AfriForum 911 wrist-band with the crisis line number, as well as a unique number to which the member’s specific medical and other details are linked. In the event of a member being unconscious, he or she could be identified. The wrist-bands, which can also be issued to members’ children, can be used to locate the parents via the crisis line if children find themselves in emergency situations.
A video with more information on how AfriForum 911 operates, can be viewed at www.afriforum911.co.za.
Kallie Kriel
