Home News R9 million boost for NC community in fight against Covid-19

R9 million boost for NC community in fight against Covid-19

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A three-phased approach will help feed underprivileged citizens whilst lessening the probability of them going to congested areas in search of sustenance.

THE SISHEN Iron Ore Company-Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) has embarked on a three-layered approach to combat the Covid-19 epidemic, which has seen a commitment of R9 million to date.

Spokesperson for the SIOC-CDT, Refilwe Sebogodi, said on Monday that the trust was a people-centred organisation aimed at developing beneficiary stakeholders adjacent to the Sishen Iron Ore Company (SIOC) mines to be sustainable and thrive beyond mine closure. 

“The organisation achieves this by responding to prevalent needs through strategic interventions,” she said. 

“As a result, an internal Covid-19 Relief Team was established to respond to the three urgent needs (as a result of the pandemic) within the five beneficiary communities.”

The three-phased approach will help feed underprivileged citizens whilst lessening the probability of them going to congested areas in search of sustenance. It will also help health workers, disaster management personnel and patients to stay safe during consultations, as well as equip the local municipality for testing and isolation of Covid-19 patients. 

More than 5 000 indigent families, predominantly those who lost their income as a result of the national lockdown, received food parcels. 

According to Sebogodi, distribution was tailor-made for each municipality in partnership with the Department of Social Development (DSD), local municipalities and other developmental partners to avoid double dipping, gain easy access to rightful beneficiaries, and ensure timeous deliveries. 

“Selected local safe havens also received groceries to sustain them during the lockdown.” 

In addition, SIOC-CDT supported over 50 health facilities by donating more than 30 000 personal protective equipment (PPE) items to the Department of Health in the Thabazimbi, Tsantsabane and John Taolo Gaetsewe regions. This includes those who are involved in disaster management. 

“Over and above this, a contribution of resources to equip testing/isolation centres was handed over to the JTG District Department of Health. The donation consisted of sheets (243), blankets (243), pillowcases (244) and pillows (80) and PPE to equip already identified centres. 

Close to R9 million has been dedicated to this Covid-19 first response programme.

“The plan is to continuously assess ways to respond to the epidemic as informed by various community needs and bring necessary assistance required.” 

The SIOC-CDTwas established in 2006 by Sishen Iron Ore Company to invest in the development of the communities in which the company operates in the Northern Cape and Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo. The Trust has invested significantly in community development projects aimed at ensuring sustainability beyond mining operations. 

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