Through its Foundation and strategic partners, Old Mutual has provided crucial humanitarian aid to over 10,000 households in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces devastated by extreme weather, emphasising the need for resilient, disaster-prepared communities in the face of climate change.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (13 July 2024) – Extreme weather has severely affected the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Eastern Cape (EC) provinces in the past month. For large companies like Old Mutual, it is crucial to provide essential humanitarian relief.
The destructive winds and heavy rain have been especially devastating for the impoverished, marginalised and vulnerable people in these provinces. Reports indicate that over 10,000 households have been impacted. Lives have sadly been lost, and many people have been evacuated from their homes to shelters; communities have been displaced, and there has been significant damage to infrastructure, devastating both the people and the economy in these areas.
Through the Old Mutual Foundation, its corporate social investment arm, and its strategic partners in the provinces, Old Mutual has worked to ease some of the suffering. Based on statistical data and feedback from first responders, the focus has been on specific communities in desperate need of help.
Throughout June, the Old Mutual Foundation’s Humanitarian and Disaster Support team implemented the Old Mutual Foundation’s Standard Operating Procedure for Disaster Response to assist those in need in KZN, in eThekwini Metro (Tongaat), uMkhanyakude District Municipality (Jozini Local Municipality) and King Cetshwayo District Municipality (Umlalazi Local Municipality ). The Eastern Cape focused on Sarah Baartman District Municipality (Makana, Ndlambe and Kouga Local Municipalities ) and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Hot meals, baby hampers, family food parcels, individual and family dignity packs, blankets, mattresses, and school uniforms are continuously being delivered to these communities through collaborative efforts with the KZN and EC provincial Red Cross societies and various government departments, including the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the EC Department of Social Development, and affected municipalities.
Given that extreme weather events are becoming the new norm due to factors such as climate change, it is now more important than ever to build resilient communities that are prepared for disasters.
“Old Mutual recognises the importance of proactive measures, such as effective research, tool development, education, training, and awareness-raising, to empower people and communities to become resilient. This kind of disaster preparedness means they will be able to anticipate hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions.”
Old Mutual’s purpose is to champion mutually positive futures every day and creating shared value and sustainable transformation is at the core of how we do business.
“We are all part of an interconnected ecosystem. As a responsible corporate citizen, our business does not operate in isolation, and we must work together, in the spirit of Ubuntu, partnering with the government, the communities in which we operate and the private sector to create safe communities that promote long-term sustainable development for all.”
Sources: Supplied | Old Mutual
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