KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality provided over 1 500 food parcels to the most vulnerable members of the community over the weekend of 24 to 26 April, which was largely made possible through a contribution of R550 000 from the Western Cape department of local government, according to acting municipal manager Dr Michele Gratz.
"This highlights the importance of strong intergovernmental relations," she said. "Just as important are partnerships with the private sector. Thank you to SA National Parks, Allsound Security and Gap Security for providing vehicles for delivery. And thank you to the SA Police Service for seeing to it that our relief packages reached those it needed to safely."
Many people are involved in the smooth running of the municipality's humanitarian and social relief programme.
"Thank you to our 15 call centre operators who worked extremely long hours over the weekend, contacting applicants and capturing data," said Gratz. "And thank you to the packing team – mostly made up of volunteers – for ensuring that the parcels were correctly packed and ready for distribution."
Specialised cellphone app
Once deliveries have been allocated within a specific area, a specialised cellphone app sends the list of recipients to the driver's cellphone. It maps the delivery route and specifies a Google location pin for each delivery address. Once a delivery has been completed, a photograph is taken as proof and submitted to the app, which collates all relevant information and logs the case as completed. Not only does this provide proof of applicants receiving allocated relief, it also assists in preventing duplicate deliveries.
"Thank you once again for all donations received to date," Gratz said. "It continues to amaze me how Knysna's people pull together during tough times. I must ask you to help us if you can. Any donation will help – what might seem like the least you could do, might help us to feed a family."
The municipality is still inviting applications to the programme, but Gratz pointed out that they will not necessarily be able to assist everyone. "Strict qualifying criteria will apply and, in an effort to reach those who truly have no other source of assistance, Sassa grant and UIF recipients are excluded from the programme.
"I ask all prospective applicants to be honest when requesting aid," the municipal manager urged. "Food relief products are limited and are intended for those most in need. We have unfortunately discovered that, in some cases, multiple family members from the same household apply for aid, or applicants submit more than one application using others' residential addresses. This dishonesty and selfishness will not be to your benefit."
Stringent qualifying criteria
There are stringent qualifying criteria and vetting procedures in place. "It is very important to note that there is no possibility of any councillor, officer or member of the administration benefiting from this programme," Gratz confirmed, saying strict methods ensure every application is treated the same way and on its own merit. "Food parcels are only signed off for delivery after every box has been ticked."
She warned that rumours of councillors or officials helping their friends first are totally unfounded and must be stopped from spreading. "These untruths only serve to cause more unnecessary unhappiness in an already difficult time."
To apply to the humanitarian and social relief programme, SMS the word "Aid" to 31022; register at https://knysna.comunity.me/relief/relief.html; or make use of the new functionality on the Knysna Municipality cellphone app. – Supplied, KM
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