More than 750 families fed at East informal settlement
Over the years the Cemetery View informal settlement has been plagued by a lack of water and sanitation, crime and unemployment.
Over the years Cemetery View in the east of Pretoria has been plagued by a lack of water and sanitation, crime and unemployment.
More than 750 vulnerable families of the informal settlement recently received food packages from the ISF (Informal Settlement Forum) – easing distress in this informal settlement during the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown.
The ISF in partnership with Living Word Pretoria East, Doxa Deo Faerie Glen and Brave to Love NGO put together food parcels of maize and vegetables.
Spokesperson for ISF Jason Oberholster said the feedback from members of the community has been very positive.
The forum would extend this kind of assistance to Cemetery View and another informal settlement in the area during the remainder of this critical period.
“A fundraising goal of 3 400 food packs has been set to cater for the most basic needs of these communities, of which only 25% has been attained to date,” he said.
“We commend everyone for coming together as a community within the forum to aid the hungry people of Cemetery View on Monday.”
He said the organisation relied significantly on partner involvement and encouraged people to assist where they can.
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The distribution of the parcels were assisted by SAPS, Bull Security and medical personnel of VEMRU (Voluntary Emergency Medical Response Unit).
Any further contributions, either physical or monetary, are welcomed by the forum.
“This crisis unmistakably threatens everyone’s way of life, but it is especially difficult for people who are already vulnerable in our country – the homeless, refugees and migrants, wage workers and those with inflexible jobs.
“In our city Woodlane Village and Cemetery View in Pretoria East are two of these high-risk communities – desperately dependent on humanity and the greater community to see them through these challenging times.”
The forum, formed in 2018, has also collaborated with stakeholders during the lockdown to assist the two informal settlements with two Covid-19 crisis stations, one at each settlement, with two teams on the ground.
“These teams concentrate on disease awareness and surveillance, crime and food security.”
Those who would like to make financial donations or food parcels can visit: www.pretoriaeastisf.shopstar.co.za
Photo: Supplied
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