Treatment Action Campaign - Help Cape refugees

The Cape refugee emergency – where and how to help

Eduard Grebe — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:45:00 +0200

Various organisations and individuals are working very hard to assist refugees and immigrants in the Western Cape. If you'd like to pitch in, this website (tac.org.za/helpnow) is where to find out how.

Where to drop off donations
What kind of donations and assistance is needed
How you can volunteer
What to do in your own community or place of business.
Updates on civil society calls to government

As relief efforts build, our needs change fast. Please check in regularly for updates.

Call TAC on 021 422 1490 / 084 542 6322.

These numbers are for use both if you would like to provide assistance, or if you know of a particular emergency that demands assistance.

You can donate in kind, or make direct deposits or credit card donations.

Urgent request for information: suppliers of rain coats and sleeping bags

Eduard Grebe — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:06:28 +0200

We urgently need to source inexpensive plastic rain coats and inexpensive insulated sleeping bags. If you know where we can source these items, please contact Estelle on 084 730 0935.

Video: TAC Responds to Crisis

Eduard Grebe — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:05:46 +0200

Video courtesy of Filmmakers Against Racism

Civil Society Rally Against Xenophobia

moderator — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:20:26 +0200

St George's Cathedral, Wale Street (corner Queen Victoria)
Tuesday 27 May 2008
12 - 2pm

The Western Cape Civil Society Coalition (made up of trade unions, FBOs, SAHRC and human, health and refugee rights organisations) has been formed to respond to and deal with the threats of and actual violent attacks against foreign nationals as well as the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in our country.

This Tuesday we are having a rally/public meeting to speak out against the:

Update on Relief Efforts

moderator — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:07:06 +0200

An estimated 17,000 people have been displaced. At this time there are four big security shelters to which many people have been redirected, sometimes against their will. These facilities are Silverstroom (Atlantis), Youngsfield (Kenilworth), Soetwater (Kommetjie) and Harmony (Strand). There are still satellite churches, mosques and public shelters, however, even these are overcrowded. We had hoped that the city would have open the Civic Centre and other community halls, which they did not do, and thus we are left with many people with no place to go and no idea about the future.

As the Civil Society Coalition, we have been providing food, blankets, toiletries and other amenities along with medical care, and legal consultation to this body of distressed people. We have a comprehensive list of all facilities housing displaced people, and we try to ensure that they are fully stocked with whatever they require three times per day.

Items and assistance currently needed

moderator — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:40:00 +0200

Very helpful would be companies able to donate and/or deliver food and other supplies to sites where displaced persons are staying.

The following items are especially urgently:

Blankets
Toiletries, hygiene items (soap, antiseptic creams, sanitary pads, etc.)
Baby producsts — in particular:
- Nappies
- Formula feed
- Baby food
- Bottles
- etc.
Food (esp. bread, non-perishable items like tinned food)

Appeal for volunteer translators

Eduard Grebe — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:28:43 +0200

The City of Cape Town has indicated a need for translators who are able to speak one of the following languages:

French
Portuguese
Swahili
Somali
Arabic

If you speak one of these languages and can make yourself available, give us a call.

Address change for dropping off food, clothes, blankets

Eduard Grebe — Sun, 25 May 2008 19:20:39 +0200

For the last couple of days, TAC has been coordinating and receiving donations at its offices in Longmarket Street.

The NEW address for drop-offs, from is: 50 Canterbury Street (off Roeland Street), Central Cape Town.