AS South Africa’s coronavirus cases surged past 1 300 last week, various civic associations and the Greenwood Park CPF Sub Forum 2 decided to help those most in need of help, residents of the various informal settlements.

Members of the sub-forum led by chairperson, Rajiv Jaynath, volunteers distributed soap and began a collection to organise food hampers for those affected by the 21-day lockdown.

Jaynath said in nearly every informal settlement it was virtually impossible to self-isolate due to the proximity of residents’ homes.

Read also: COVID-19 screening and testing drive set for Durban North

“We wanted to also create awareness about the coronavirus and how it spreads. The various civic associations and the CPF were actually contacted by committee members in the settlements who said there was very little known by residents about the virus. We mobilised to donate hundreds of soaps to residents in the Sim Place, KwaMathambo and Thandanani Informal Settlements,” he explained.

In all, 500 soaps were distributed across the settlements

“Many of the residents are not able to afford hand sanitizers which are expensive so we donated soap to help the situation. We’ve also collected a list of elderly and infirm residents who need help in getting groceries. We’ve offered to go out and collect items for them. We’ve also created a bank account where residents can donate to and where we will organise food hampers for those who are unable to work and make a living,” he said.

Jaynath said a Facebook page had also been started to be transparent and show how donated monies were being.

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