Civic rights body launches crisis line
Afriforum has launched its own 911 emergency crisis line for its members.
THE civil rights organisation, AfriForum, has introduced a 24-hour crisis line where the organisation’s more than 115 000 members and their families can report crime and other emergencies and request emergency assistance telephonically.
According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, his organisation decided to launch AfriForum 911, for its members in view of the growing crime crisis in the country and the fact that police are often slow to react in emergency situations. “Where the government fails in its basic responsibilities to ensure citizens’ safety, we have to do all we can ourselves to ensure our members’ safety”, Kriel said.
The call centre crisis line will be manned for 365 days per year. Once a crime related call has been received, the receiver will immediately call, among other, the police, the caller’s neighbours and family, security company and the nearest AfriForum community safety structure or community watch, to request assistance. AfriForum’s members can register the contact details of those who must be contacted in emergencies at www.afrifroum911.co.za.
Kriel further mentioned that medical emergencies can also be reported at the call centre, after which an ambulance will be requested on behalf of the caller. “Because members register information on medical aid membership, blood group and allergies beforehand, it makes energency medical assistance easier”, he said, adding thattelephonic trauma counselling and health advice are also offered.
A video with more information on how AfriForum 911 operates, can be viewed at www.afriforum911.co.za.
