uMhlatuze's bay response
Richards Bay & Empangeni (uMhlatuze Municipality)
In Richards Bay and Empangeni, two towns in the uMhlatuze Municipality in scenic Northern Kwazulu-Natal, 'Hope on these Streets', a non-profit company is wokring closely with the local municipality and local NGOs to respond to homelessness during Covid-19.
Temporary shelters are being establised for the homeless, although this has been a slow process. Each shelter depends on critical components being in place, before being opened. In addition, food parcels are distributed to people living in their own homes, but without having food.
Currently there are three temporary shelters - two in Richards Bay for women and men separately, and one in Empangeni.
Jason Currie from 'Hope on these Streets' was invited to sit on the Municipal Joint Operations Committee and task team during Covid-19, to represent the NGO sector. All shelters that open up are run as a collaboration between the NGOs and the Municipality. The Municipality provide resources such as halls and security and the NGO and religious sector provide meals, volunteers for shelter management, programmes for social activities and food parcels.
The NGOs have combined street databases to ensure they do not duplicate food distribution. They aim at distributing 300 food parcels a week. This information is also provided to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to avoid duplication with what they offer as well.
Contact person: Jason Currie mobile no: +27-82-721-7547
In Richards Bay and Empangeni, two towns in the uMhlatuze Municipality in scenic Northern Kwazulu-Natal, 'Hope on these Streets', a non-profit company is wokring closely with the local municipality and local NGOs to respond to homelessness during Covid-19.
Temporary shelters are being establised for the homeless, although this has been a slow process. Each shelter depends on critical components being in place, before being opened. In addition, food parcels are distributed to people living in their own homes, but without having food.
Currently there are three temporary shelters - two in Richards Bay for women and men separately, and one in Empangeni.
Jason Currie from 'Hope on these Streets' was invited to sit on the Municipal Joint Operations Committee and task team during Covid-19, to represent the NGO sector. All shelters that open up are run as a collaboration between the NGOs and the Municipality. The Municipality provide resources such as halls and security and the NGO and religious sector provide meals, volunteers for shelter management, programmes for social activities and food parcels.
The NGOs have combined street databases to ensure they do not duplicate food distribution. They aim at distributing 300 food parcels a week. This information is also provided to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to avoid duplication with what they offer as well.
Contact person: Jason Currie mobile no: +27-82-721-7547
Articles on Richard's Bay response to COVID-19