WATCH: Alberton North informal settlement receives relief packages

Different stakeholders donated relief packages to about 30 Alberton North informal settlement households on July 7.

This was made possible through the partnership of the DRDGold ERGO, the non-profit organisation Impophomo and Umsizi Sustainable Social Solutions, together with Merafong Soweto Ekurhuleni (MSE) Initiative Disaster Relief Programme which kicked off on April 16.

The relief package contained maize meal, rice, sugar, cooking oil, samp, tinned beans, tinned fish, soup, masks, beans and split peas. Every package also included an encouraging biblical verse.

According to Lerato Molefe, operations director of Umsizi Sustainable Social Solutions, the initiative has been solely aimed at bringing much-needed relief to most vulnerable families in Ekurhuleni and includes residents from Delmore informal settlement, Tsakane, Kwa-Thema, Duduza, and Bakerton.

“We are living in incomparable times where socio-economic pressures are bearing down even more heavily than before Covid-19 on our vulnerable communities. This was the first step in a journey to restore dignity and aid many who were literally starving and going hungry in their homes,” he said.

He said they also joined hands with Ekurhuleni Health and Social Development department to deliver food and basic hygiene parcels to communities.

“With the continuous help of police escorts, and the Department of Social Development, Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), a huge task was accomplished. Through the initiative we have made a total distribution of about 2 152 in Ekurhuleni areas only,” said Molefe.

He said a delighted beneficiary said that his food was finished and did not know where their next meal would come from and was overjoyed to receive the package.