Isuzu at the forefront of rural disaster relief
Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) renews its commitment to support humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers to reach remote locations in South Africa, where they provide critical disaster relief.
IMSAf Executive: Corporate and Public Affairs, Ms Mandlakazi Sigcawu, said that Gift of the Givers was provided with D-MAX bakkies and Isuzu trucks to continue their lifesaving work across the country.
Supporting communities who are affected by natural disasters is a key pillar guiding IMSAf’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, according to Ms Sigcawu.
“Our vehicles can access the most challenging terrain. We believe they will provide Gift of the Givers the necessary logistical support they require when responding to crises and natural disasters. Through our partnership, remote communities desperately affected by drought and other socio-economic conditions exacerbated by Covid-19 will be assisted,” said Ms Sigcawu.
Gift of the Givers Director of Strategic Planning, Mr. Badr Kazi, described the value of the Isuzu partnership as inestimable.
“It adds to the existing capacity of our organisation in the most significant way. The D-MAX bakkies allow our senior project managers to have reliable vehicles to affect positive change in rural areas of the country where few aid organisations go.
“Rural parts of South Africa are often neglected and overlooked because of its inaccessibility. The Isuzu fleet will allow us to supply remote communities with humanitarian aid, water and improved health facilities,” said Mr. Kazi.
The Isuzu trucks (an Isuzu FSR 800 Tanker truck and two FTR 850 trucks) are used for water relief efforts in the Eastern Cape. The trucks have been fitted with water tanks and operate in Makhanda (formerly known as Grahamstown), Salem, Alicedale, Seven Fountains, Adelaide, Bedford, Graaff-Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Klipplaat.
In Makhanda, the local community, including 18 clinics and schools, remain reliant on the Isuzu water tankers for their daily water supply. The water is transported from boreholes, that were sunk by Gift of the Givers early in 2019 when taps started running dry due to a water crisis.
The three Isuzu trucks have transported 5.85 million litres of water over the past year alone.
