Anglo American contributes R20 million and partners with Gift of the Givers to support flood recovery and rebuilding efforts in South Africa
28 April, 2022
The Anglo American Foundation has contributed R20 million to support the flood recovery and rebuilding efforts in KwaZulu Natal. Through a partnership with the Gift of the Givers Foundation (“Gift of the Givers”) – which is the largest disaster response NGO on the African continent. The company’s support will cover humanitarian aid to displaced households, assist with water provisioning and provide disaster response training to first responders.
Nolitha Fakude, Chairperson of Anglo American’s Management Board in South Africa, said: “Our thoughts are with the people of KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape who have experienced so much suffering and loss over the past few weeks. The devastation caused by the flooding has impacted the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people. This moment is a clarion call for all of us to stand united across our nation to assist, wherever we can, to help rebuild the lives and dignity of those affected. Through our contribution and partnership with the Gift of the Givers – who have done exceptional work with many other organisations to respond – we are pleased to be able to play our part.”
Anglo American’s R20 million contribution and partnership with the Gift of the Givers will help restore water supply, and provide community shelters with essentials such as blankets, mattresses, water and mobile toilets. Funds will also go towards disaster response training of first responders to support the development of community resilience.
Gift of the Givers has been working with different stakeholders to assess the most vulnerable, focussing on targeted interventions in the deployment of search and rescue teams, and initial distributions focused on supplying urgent aid to affected communities.
Anglo American’s flood relief contribution builds on the company’s extensive WeCare lives and livelihoods programme, which has assisted employees and communities across South Africa since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Through this programme, Anglo American has contributed over R220 million to support healthcare services, and provide food hampers, PPE, medical equipment, and isolation facilities to our host communities.
This contribution was extended further in July 2021 to victims of the social unrest that affected communities in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng. the Anglo American Foundation also contributed R20 million to the Gift of the Givers for relief efforts then.
“We recognise that a comprehensive recovery plan must be built on collaborative partnerships between government, business, labour and civil society. The recent tragedy and the challenging environment of the past two years provides us with an opportunity to come together to work towards the great reset that our nation and people deserve. Anglo American stands ready to play its part in this national effort,” concluded Fakude.