Gift of the Givers delivers thousands of litres of drinking water to cholera-stricken Hammanskraal

Gift of the Givers delivered water to Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, as the region grapples with a cholera outbreak that has tragically claimed the lives of 15 individuals.

Responding to a request for assistance from the Moretele Local Municipality, the Gift of the Givers Foundation swiftly dispatched a team to Jubilee District Hospital on Monday. According to News24, the hospital is at the forefront of treating those affected by the outbreak.

The dedicated team delivered approximately 8,600 litres of bottled water packaged in five and 10-litre containers. This vital supply will help alleviate the immediate water needs of the affected community.

Founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, Imtiaz Sooliman, expressed their ongoing commitment to assisting. He stated, “At this moment, the Gift of the Givers team is busy loading their trucks with necessities to Jubilee Hospital. [On Tuesday], the team will be on board again, delivering to neighbouring clinics.” The foundation remains committed to supporting and addressing the affected areas’ urgent needs.

Also read: Possible cholera outbreak in Gauteng townships

The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed the cholera outbreak on Sunday following positive lab results of stool specimens from 19 individuals presenting with symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and nausea at the hospital.

As a result, the Department of Water and Sanitation announced it would investigate the cause of the water problems in Hammanskraal. In the meantime, the City of Tshwane has advised residents to avoid drinking tap water until authorities determine the cause of the outbreak.

Deputy Health Minister Sibongiseni Dhlomo previously reported 41 positive cholera cases nationwide. Among these cases, one was reported in Limpopo, six in the Free State, and a concerning 34 cases in Hammanskraal.

As the Gift of the Givers Foundation and various government agencies collaborate to address the outbreak, the priority remains the swift containment and treatment of affected individuals. In addition, delivering clean water is a critical step towards ensuring the well-being and health of the community in Hammanskraal.

Also read:

Authorities launch investigation to find source of cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal

Picture:  Unsplash / Jonathan Chng