2016-01-14

Radio Islam News Team

As the country continues to battle the worst drought in some provinces around the country, many South Africans are coming up with innovative ways to bring relief to those affected.
Operation Hydrate is close on to distributing 1-million litres of bottled water to drought-stricken areas across the country as the NGO gears itself to double that amount within the next week.

Operation Hydrate was formed by a group of community volunteers two weeks ago, following urgent calls for water from people in severely drought stricken areas in the Free State.
Project Co-ordinator Yusuf Abramjee says the public has been very heartening since the call went out about 10 days ago;
“Ordinary citizens, corporates, religious bodies, NGO’S have come forward, not only donating cash, but also their time and their resources” said Abramjee

Within hours, members of the public responded by donating cash and bottled water as volunteers came forward in their thousands.

Almost a million litres of water have already been distributed to communities in Senekal and Qwa Qwa in the Free State as well as Aliwal North, in the Eastern Cape.

Operation Hydrate will again deliver R200 000 of a R500 000 donation of water to Senekal, in the Free State tomorrow.
Operation Hydrate Co-ordinator,Yaseen Theba says the drought is having a severe impact in the area and will continue to help the affected communities with relief operations.

“We are close to reaching the targeted 1-million litre distribution mark. By this coming Sunday, we will have distributed about 1, 5 million litres of water. We are confident that we will reach the 2-million litre distribution mark within the next week,” said Theba.

Abramjee says Operation Hydrate has sourced JoJo tanks which will be filled with water and placed at hospitals, clinics, crèches and orphanages.
At the same time, a Geologist has been appointed to investigate the drilling of boreholes in a number of areas.

Abramjee was in Qwa Qwa this week, where taps in the Phuthaditijhaba area ran dry amid one of the hottest heatwaves to hit the country.

“The situation is dire and the local dam is only 10 percent full. People are desperate and are queuing for hours in the hope of getting some water. The area needs 90 tankers to service residents, but currently there are only 29,” said Abramjee.

Theba said it was heartening to see people rallying together and making a tangible difference;

“Residents are botting the water. Volunteers are shrink-wrapping the bottles and preparing them for transport. Scores of volunteers are travelling to affected areas to distribute the cargo,” he said.

Thirsti, a Newcastle based company, has made a massive contribution to Operation Hydrate, which already runs into millions of rands. The four-month-old company is also transporting the water to affected areas at their own cost.

Mango Airlines has donated R500-thousand to the humanitarian initiative while Shoprite has also donated 50-thousand rand worth of water to residents as well as the use of their trucks to transport the water.

Proudly South African employees will join teams this weekend to distribute water in the North West.

“The goodwill from South Africans has been phenomenal. Individuals, NGO’s, corporates and religious groups have all rallied behind Operation Hydrate. Parliament has also come out in support of the initiative,” said Theba.

Abramjee added; “While we appreciate government supporting Operation Hydrate, we invite them to also join us on the ground as some areas, where people are suffering terribly need to be declared disaster zones.”

Operation Hydrate continues to call on South Africans donating cash as water collection points are now closed.

Operation Hydrate Banking details:
Operation Water
Absa Business Banking
Account No: 9314587739
Swift code: ABSA ZAJJ

Remember… A drink of water given to someone is an act of Sadaqah (NARRATED BY BUKHAARI)

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