The City of Cape Town signed a memorandum of agreement on 1 July 2020 with a number of organisations who work with the most vulnerable groups in the city, cementing a partnership which will see the organisations receiving R20 million in grants in aid funding.
The funds will be used for humanitarian aid relief which includes the provision of meals, accommodation and developmental programmes for the next six months and include shelters which provide services to survivors of gender-based violence, organisations that provide services to homeless people and early childhood development centres.
We signed a memorandum of agreement with the respective organisations to ensure that all parties comply with their roles and responsibilities.
The City of Cape Town is committed to ensuring those most at risk are cared for.
Six shelters (Saartjie Baartman, Pride Shelter, The Safe House, Sisters Incorporated, Ihata Shelter, St. Anne’s Homes ) which provide services to women and children who are survivors of GBV were awarded funding to provide ongoing psycho-social services, outreach and COVID-19 specific support.
The identified families of children attending Council owned ECD centres will receive a food parcel over the next three months. This food aid also includes support to 1000 artists (crafters and buskers).
Winter is hard for those living on the street and the shelters ensure that as many street people as possible have access to a warm bed, a hot meal and toiletries.
The staff at these shelters care for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents and the aid we provide will assist with the increased demand during winter.
The spread of COVID-19 is affecting all spheres of public life and our Social Development and Early Childhood Development Department has aligned its Winter Readiness Programme to that of a Humanitarian Programme with a particular focus on street people and other vulnerable groups.
The shelter organisations which will receive aid include the Haven Night Shelter Organisation, Oasis reach for your Dream, Ubuntu Circle of Courage, the Tygerberg Association for Street People, the Culemborg Safe Space, the Service Dining Room, The Hope Exchange, and the Cape Flats YMCA, MATDOC NPC at Paint City.
In addition, existing shelters will be extended by creating additional bed spaces where feasible; and we have begun planning the long-term development of safe spaces
The City also urges residents to please give responsibly by not giving hand-outs directly to people living on the street which may encourage the refusal of our social services, and instead to donate to organisations and shelters that assist them.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact the City’s toll-free number on 0800 872 201 to find out how they can assist.