Church Gives Millions For Humanitarian Assistance

Diaconia, the joint ministry of NG Kerk Wes-Kaapland and the URC Cape Regional Synod, has already donated more than R2,2 million to communities since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By the end of May, donations had already been made to 161 URC and NG Kerk congregations across the province, predominantly to improve food security in the most vulnerable communities. This included the distribution of food parcels, prepared meals and food vouchers. Additional donations were also made to provide masks, hand sanitizers and other protective gear for essential services providers. Congregations as far apart as Fish Hoek in the south of the Cape Metropole to Alexander Bay along the northern West Coast have already been supported in such a way.

Diaconia operates primarily within local ecumenical networks where the broader faith community works alongside local authorities, the provincial government as well as other non-governmental organizations and community structures to identify and address distress and need.

According to Nioma Venter, a minister in synodal service for Diaconia, coordination plays a key role in their relief efforts. “Individual congregations have been engaged in comprehensive outreach activities for over two months, but cannot be financially sustainable in the long term. Therefore, we encourage congregations to become part of networks that are already active in specific communities. In this way, resources are pooled, the duplication of assistance is minimised and we ensure that as many people as possible are reached.”

However, she urges members of the public to first contact their local congregations for help. “Diaconia cannot provide assistance on an individual basis as the process is actually faster and more accessible when people approach their local congregation directly for help. The fund supports congregations for local outreach efforts and individuals are referred to their nearest network,” Venter explains.

Just over two months after the national lockdown began, experts are of the opinion that South Africa has not seen the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic yet. Diaconia is preparing itself for the reality that the needs of communities will only escalate in coming months and encourages businesses and members of the public to continue making contributions to the disaster relief fun. For more information, send an email to diaconia@kaapkerk.co.za.

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