In just over 24 hours, a storm on April 11 brought 12 inches of rain, beating one-day rainfall totals from previous historic disasters in the region. Rushing flood waters inundated and destroyed entire neighborhoods, roads, hospitals, and schools leaving people without a home, clean water, or electricity—the storm is now also the deadliest to hit since the 1987 Durban floods.
To support affected families, WCK partnered with local organization Gift of the Givers to assemble and deliver 3,000 food kits to distribution centers in Marianridge, Umlazi, and Lungelani. Food kits are intended to support families for one month and contain items like water, beans, and peanut butter—feedback from the community helped us determine that shelf-stable items were most useful for families in the weeks following the flooding.
As the situation stabilized, and Gift of the Givers and other organizations moved from immediate relief to providing long-term assistance, WCK wrapped up our emergency response.
Gift of the Givers
Dr. Sooliman
Gift of the Givers
Dr. Sooliman is the founder and chairman of Gift of the Givers, a local organization that has been supporting the community for over 30 years. When the storm began, Gift of the Givers quickly mobilized to help impacted families with hot meals, bedding, and sanitary items. As they switch to long-term recovery, the organization will be providing students with necessary supplies to go back to school and assisting people with housing.
Vusi
Vusi
In Umlazi, a landslide pushed mud and water through Vusi’s home. Now, with his wife and four children, Vusi is living in a single room at his neighbor’s house.
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology
After returning from a holiday break, students found their food spoiled and homes destroyed. Without power, the school has had challenges communicating with affected students. WCK & Gift of the Givers provided 450 food kits distributed amongst the university community.
Netty
Netty
Although Netty’s home in Pholani didn’t fall, it is full of water and sand. Everyhting was damaged—furniture and even her children’s school uniforms.
