Trust for Community Outreach and Education
Cape Town organisations are appealing for urgent public support after recent storms left several communities across the Western Cape struggling with flooding, displacement and damaged infrastructure.
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The Trust for Community Outreach and Education (TCOE), based in Mowbray, says it has been inundated with requests from informal settlements in areas such as Langa and Khayelitsha, as well as rural farming communities cut off after heavy rain and overflowing rivers.
The organisation is calling for donations of blankets, warm clothing, plastic sheeting and food parcels, with officials saying many affected residents are in desperate need of basic supplies.
“All kinds of support and solidarity would be welcome. I think we need to really think of others, those of us who are sitting in warm, dry homes at the moment,” said Mercia Andrews, Director of Trust for Community Outreach and Education.
To lend a helping hand, you can visit the TCOE website here, email info@tcoe.org.za, or contact their offices on 021 685 3033.
They are located at 36 Durban Road in Mowbray (opposite the taxi rank).
Service Dining Rooms
Janey Ball, operations manager at the Service Dining Rooms, said demand for meals has surged as winter weather worsens.
The organisation, which normally feeds around 250 to 280 people a day, recently served more than 400 in a single day.
It provides hot meals, bread, water and small treats to vulnerable people, and is appealing for continued donations, volunteers and food support to sustain its work through the colder months.
“We welcome blankets, especially at the moment, and we welcome any support for our work.”
For more information or to donate, go to the Service Dining Rooms website, email info@sdr.org.za, or contact them on 021 465 2390.
You can find them at 82 Canterbury Street in the Cape Town CBD.
Islamic Relief South Africa
Ezzad Fakier, Regional Projects and Partnership Coordinator at Islamic Relief South Africa, said teams have been on the ground since Monday, assisting residents whose homes were damaged, roofs blown off, and belongings destroyed in areas across Cape Town and beyond.
The organisation is working with the City’s disaster risk management teams and other NGOs to provide hot meals, blankets, hygiene packs and clean water to affected families, many of whom are also facing electricity outages.
They launched a fundraising drive to support emergency relief efforts.
Donations are being used to provide food parcels and flood relief kits containing essentials such as mattresses, blankets and hygiene products.
“Every little cent helps. We have these packages, so it just gives the person who’s obviously donating where the funds are going. We want to obviously reach as many people as possible.”
You can visit their website for more information on how to assist.
Haven Night Shelter
Shelters are under growing pressure as cold weather and flooding force more homeless people off the streets.
The Haven Night Shelter CEO, Shadrick Valayadum, said it has seen more than 60 additional people seeking refuge in recent weeks, while several of its own facilities were damaged during the recent storms.
Staying at the shelter costs R15 per night. However, Valayadum emphasised that they will accommodate those who cannot afford this fee.
“No homeless people that knocks on our doors should be turned away.”
Through its “Buy a Bed” campaign, donations of R75 can provide a homeless person with shelter, meals, clothing, toiletries and access to social workers for five nights.
The organisation has expanded emergency bed space and is launching a monitored “safe sleeping zone” to help protect vulnerable residents from the harsh winter conditions.
Valayadum stressed that the goal is not only to provide warmth and safety but also to help people reconnect with support services and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
FoodForward SA
FoodForward SA is appealing for urgent donations after severe storms and flooding displaced thousands of people across the province.
Managing Director, Andy Du Plessis, said families in Khayelitsha, Philippi and Nomzamo are currently living in temporary shelters and are in desperate need of food and basic supplies.
“Five and a half thousand people have been displaced and are living in temporary shelters. Together with our network of beneficial organisations, we’re going to be providing cooked meals over the next six weeks until they rebuild their homes.
“We are appealing for things like soups, things that will make things for soups and stews, butternuts, carrots, fresh produce, and non-perishable items like baked beans, rice, maize meal, sugar, tea, and of course, baby products, where people can assist.”
Du Plessis noted that demand for food assistance has grown sharply in recent years, with rising food insecurity placing additional pressure on charities and community feeding schemes.
He added that every contribution will help vulnerable families affected by the recent storms.
To assist, visit the FoodForward SA website.
Celeste Martin
www.ewn.co.za