GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - Essential goods to the value of half a million rand were purchased by the Garden Route District Municipality to aid local municipalities in assisting the most vulnerable communities in their areas.

Each packet - containing samp, toilet paper, tinned food, cooking oil and other goods - provides up to a week of essentials to 800 households of five members or less.

GRDM Mayor Memory Booysen invited local B-municipalities yesterday to collect the packets and distribute in communities.

Municipalities have been requested to identify the most vulnerable members of their communities that would not be addressed in terms of the Department Social Development (DSD) Social Relief of Distress (SDR) program. Strict measures will be in place to ensure that no duplication of distribution takes place, known as “double-dipping”. For this reason DSD officials and the municipalities will ensure that a centralised database is used. The South African Police Service will ensure that areas, where food parcels will be delivered, are secure and safe for those doing deliveries.

Last week DSD announced that the Department made R18 million available to distribute food parcels in the Western Cape of which 9 000 food parcels will be distributed to households in the Garden Route district from next week Thursday.

Manager of Disaster Manager at GRDM, Mr Gerhard Otto, highlighted: “To ensure that food is provided to all vulnerable residents for the period ahead, all municipalities are in the process to pledge their financial support to fill the gaps of the DSD funded programmes”.

Food items, toiletries and other necessities, donated by the public throughout the district will also contribute to the programme to ensure that no one is left unfed.

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