Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2016-01-12
As the country battles the worst drought in over two decades, Operation Hydrate says some communities in the Free State have resorted to drinking sewerage water.
The NGO, together with Mango Airlines, Shoprite and endorsed by Proudly South African, aims to distribute more than 1 million litres of drinking water to communities devastated by the dry spell.
Operation Hydrate says the situation on the ground is distressing as people and communities are desperate for drinking water.
It says they’ve received notice of other areas across the Free State and outside the province that have been left completely dry from the drought.
Spokesperson Yaseen Theba says, “We’re getting reports of people drinking sewage water. We had reports last week of a person that was stabbed because a fight broke out while people were collecting water.”
While Mango Airlines has pledged over R500,000 towards the project and Shoprite also donating thousands of litres of water, Theba says more people need to get involved.
“We’re appealing to the public to continue donating cash and water. Every donor and volunteer truly embodies the spirit of Proudly South Africa with Ubuntu being at the heart of our relief operations.”
Members of the public have been urged to continue making donations as the NGO attempts to reach as many affected as possible.
There have also been calls for national and provincial government to help communities who have little or no water. – EWN
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