The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the international disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers on June 27.
The partnership is envisaged to enhance disaster management services in an event of a major emergency incident. The CoE and Gift of the Givers have already worked together during disasters that happened in the city previously.
The two parties will now officially share expertise in disaster relief and response.
The CoE’s member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for community safety, Clr Vivienne Chauke, said the main outcome of the partnership is to provide a formal link between non-governmental organisations (NGO) and government disaster management professionals. The city will work with the NGO to improve community preparedness for disasters by conducting awareness campaigns.
The collaboration will also augment humanitarian resources to vulnerable communities in an event of major emergency incidents or disasters and to create the capacity to assist vulnerable groups, child-headed families, disabled persons or aged persons in the field of social development.
Badr Kazi from Gift of the Givers said they have acquired R100-million worth of equipment and infrastructure so that every person they assist gets the world’s best standard treatment during times of need such as floods, fires or other disasters.
“When there are disasters, we collaborate with local municipalities. Though we are known for handing out food parcels and blankets, there is a lot that we are doing. Our relationship with the CoE goes a long way. We always had a proactive and productive relationship with the CoE. Today we are just making it official,” Kazi said.
