R15 Million released to support communities affected by the riots
The first R15 million from Standard Bank is on its way to assist NGO’s that operate in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng to provide food and basic necessities to those affected by the recent unrest. The funds will go towards meeting the immediate needs in impacted communities.
“We are staring down a humanitarian crisis,” says Lungisa Fuzile, Chief Executive of Standard Bank South Africa. “This is the first of a series of relief measure from Standard Bank. We believe it is our responsibility to help those who are suffering during this time of turmoil and will avail funds available as we understand the needs of communities,” he says.
“We are working with Gift of the Givers, FoodForward SA through OneFarm Share and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) with whom we have a track record of working together in similar situations,” he says.
The first tranche of its relief fund to the Gift of the Givers foundation, FoodForwardSA through the OneFarm Share platform and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The Gift of the Givers Foundation, the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent has received its first payment of R4.5 million from the bank.
An additional R5.5 million has been allocated to FoodForward SA and UNICEF.
In addition to financial aid, FoodForwardSA in partnership with HelloChoice, a South African AgriTech with a digital fresh produce marketplace will continue distributing food to communities in need. The platform to connect farmers and communities is powered by Standard Bank’s digital platform, OneFarm Share. Launched in March 2021, the programme had delivered 2 000 tons of food by November last year. The number of families reached is 300 000. FoodForwardSA is an NGO that was established in 2009 to recover edible surplus food and distribute the food to community organisations. More than 80% of the food recovered is nutritious food.
UNICEF, will use the contribution to support ACT an organisation in Gauteng and Refugee Social Services in KwaZulu-Natal. They will be distributing food supplies, clothes as well as hygiene and sanitary products.
The bank is calling out to its employees, customers and businesses in South Africa to assist it in raising more money to assist those in need. “We have a donation page on Snapscan that can be used to send funds directly to the NGO’s,” says Fuzile. You do not need to be a Standard Bank customer to use Snapscan. Download the app and you can donate directly to the organization of your choice. “If we work together South African can be a better place for all of its citizens”.
The bank has begun discussions with organisations that can support the small and medium business sector, especially black owned businesses, who have to rebuild their businesses after the riots.
SnapScan link: https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/SBC1FSD