A total of 1 000 households across Mpumalanga have received humanitarian assistance following a province-wide relief intervention by the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS), funded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).

The intervention reached vulnerable communities across the Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala districts, covering seven local municipalities.

Beneficiaries received food parcels, baby hampers, blankets, mattresses, kitchen sets and hygiene packs to help address their immediate household needs.

In the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, 121 households received assistance, including families whose homes were damaged by strong winds during January.

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Joint assessments verify needs

The Red Cross worked alongside the Mpumalanga Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Disaster Management Centre to conduct joint assessments in affected communities and identify households requiring assistance.

“We sincerely thank the NLC for its funding support, which enables us to extend essential humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities around Mpumalanga,” said SARCS secretary general and CEO Molefi Takalo. “This partnership strengthens our ability to respond to humanitarian needs while protecting human dignity.”

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The programme targeted households in Nkomazi, Bushbuckridge, the City of Mbombela, Msukaligwa, Mkhondo, Chief Albert Luthuli and Dr JS Moroka municipalities.