Headlines, Climate Change, April 22, 2022, 8:49 a.m.

KZN floods, how you can help

Author: info@klassikdigital.co.za

“...There is no food. The food is damaged with dirty water, we can’t even eat, we don’t even have clothes…The situation is bad” - Azola Mzathu, Palmiet River informal settlement resident”

341 people have died according to reports [1]. Whether it's your voice, money or a donation of clothes if each member of the amandla .mobi community contributes. We can make a big difference. 

 

Use your voice: We know many people are struggling to put food on their own table and cannot afford to donate to help those impacted by the floods. But your voice can help put pressure on those with the money, to do more. Some supermarkets are helping to donate, but they can do more given their huge profits [2] [3]. Can you take a moment to call Shoprite Checkers on 0800 01 07 09, Pick n Pay on 0860 30 30 30 or Woolworths 0860 022 002, and tell them to do more to help in KZN. If you can, sending them messages on Facebook and Twitter will also help.

 

Donate to those on the ground: Abahlali baseMjondolo is calling for solidarity [4] and donations to help many low-income communities hit hardest by the floods. If you can, donate directly to Abahlali baseMjondolo. Here are their banking details;

 

Account name: ABAHLALIBASEMJONDOLO MOVEMENT SA

Bank Name: First National Bank

Account no: 6278 6238 230

Reference: KZN Floods Relief

 

 

 

As you may have heard on the news or social media platforms, the floods in KZN have been devastating. People have lost loved ones, homes and possessions Many families are still looking for their loved ones who are missing. Let us come together during this difficult time to assist where we can. 

 

The province has been declared a disaster area. The damage caused by the floods can be linked to years of underspending on repairs and maintenance of city infrastructure, but it is also a failure to provide adequate housing and land to low-income communities, as weather conditions get extreme owing to climate change.

 

 When members of the amandla .mobi community come together, we have made a difference. In 2019 when the Casual Workers Advice Office (CWAO) was looted and burnt, we came together and raised R35,000 to help them get back to their important work. Let's come together in solidarity again. 

 

PS: Many people want to help, but may not know how to. Can you share ways people can take action on Facebook and tag your family and tag your family and friends?

 

[1] DEVELOPING | KwaZulu-Natal floods death toll rises to 341 - Zikalala. Nicole McCain. 14 April 2022. 

 

[2] ‘Extraordinary growth in sales and profits’- Shoprite CEO. Suren Naidoo for Moneyweb. 8 March 2022.

 

[3] Pick n Pay posts 5% increase in sales - with strong growth in clothes, booze. Penelope Mashego for fin24. 6 April 2022

 

[4] The floods have affected the poorest of the poor the most. 12 April 2022. Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement. https://abahlali.org/node/17478/#more-17478