SA Jewish Contribution to Xenophobia Relief Effort

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies has sent out an email detailing the tremendous contribution the South African Jewish community has made to the relief effort. All too often the press (particularly international) has focused on the horrific violence and the complete failure of the South African Government to respond to the crisis but failed to showcase the amazing work of civil society. The situation in the refugee camps is by no means acceptable but it would be far worse if organizations like the SAJBD and Union of Jewish Women had not stepped in.

We should be very proud of what we have done. But now is not yet the time for patting ourselves on the back: the crisis is still far from over. Even though formal refugee camps have been set up now by the government, civil society will most likely have to bear most of the burden of running them. Money rather than food and clothing is now what is being asked for. If you wish to contribute donations can be made to Standard Bank Killarney Account 200305190 and marked `Relief'. Please fax deposit details to 011 645-2559.

Click continue reading Wendy Kahn's summary of the community's efforts.

Initially the Jewish Community embarked on the Xenophobia relief project out of a sense of `sympathy', `care' and through our own personal understanding of being refugees. However this has evolved into a complex, multifaceted and professional relief initiative. The SA Jewish Board of Deputies has served on several task teams, both with the National Disaster Management Forum, the various authorities at the shelters and with other NGO's to ensure that we are responding effectively and in a coordinated manner. What started as an appeal to the Jewish Community though our affiliate organizations, has evolved into a complex, large scale and strategic relief effort. Initially we planned to collect clothes, blankets and non-perishables, and collected several storerooms worth of goods, but quickly it became apparent that we needed to be far more specific and focused if we wanted to truly alleviate the suffering in a meaningful way. We identified a few particularly needy shelters, analysed the exact needs of the individuals and of the facilities and devised strategies and plans to respond to each. When a shelter needed mielie meal we arranged 1 ton to be quickly delivered, when another shelter required blankets and mattresses 3000 were sent, when a shelter with 4000 people contacted us Friday afternoon for toilets and cooking facilities, we ensured that they went into the weekend with 12 portable toilets and 10 gas burners. Our process is dynamic, continually identifying areas of need and sourcing the necessary items. The logistics have been on a large scale and extremely complex. Daily needs analyses, procurement of the necessary products and ensuring speedy distribution of the aid. Due to the vulnerability of the victims, aid needs to arrive speedily. On average, 5 fully laden vehicles leave Beyachad (our headquarters) daily and we have minimum of 12 volunteers on the ground continuously. Deliveries include supplies for babies, chicken, meat, kitchen supplies (pots, pans, cleaning materials, plastic cutlery, etc), toiletries, blankets and toys. The SAJBD is coordinating the many Jewish organizations and projects from the community providing a broad range of services and products. We are also coordinating a large contingent of volunteers (Jewish and non-Jewish). Some of the ongoing projects: 1. Food and other aid is sent daily to camps and shelters according to requests by the authorities at each facility 2. The Union of Jewish Women is assisting with the coordination of the kitchen at Cleveland to ensure that people do not go hungry, as well as assisting with the care of the mothers and children there. They also prepared baby packs to assist mothers during the move from the shelters to the displacement sites. 3. The Youth movements (SAUJS, Habonim, Bnei Akiva) are involved with entertaining the children at the Centres, helping us monitor the situation and transporting the deliveries. 4. The United Sisterhood are involved with providing food and necessities 5. Emunah went on a balls and bikes campaign to provide stimulation for the children at the shelters 6. The Jewish Women's Benevolent are currently involved in a knitting needles and wool drive as per a request. 7. King David Linksfield and Bnei Akiva went on a sandwich drive 8. The Board is working with the new displacement sites to ensure that needs are taken care of eg mattresses, toilets, blankets, clothes, wood planks, torches. 9. Numerous volunteers have come to our offices to offer time, donations of goods and financial contributions. Many organizations in recognizing the responsible and structured way with which we are addressing this crisis have used us to distribute their contributions (both financial and goods). I would like to thank two substantial donors whose funding has allowed us to respond quickly and effectively to specific needs; Apexhi and Investec Bank. Please feel free to send this on broadly and publish this in any shul/school or communal organizations publication. Kind regards Wendy Kahn National Director SA Jewish Board of Deputies

Comments

[BLACKLISTED DICTATOR]

Mike,
The SAJBD's response has been extremely impressive. And the volunteers who are dedicating themselves to helping the refugees deserve our admiration and respect.
Kahn writes:
"On average, 5 fully laden vehicles leave Beyachad (our headquarters) daily and we have minimum of 12 volunteers on the ground continuously."
This really is a fantastic. Well done, indeed, to all involved.

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