Helping hands for Malawian refugees

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Gift of the Givers has answered the call to provide humanitarian support to Malawian nationals along the Garden Route with a large-scale voluntary repatriation operation that has now been successfully concluded.

Throughout the operation, teams from this humanitarian organisation worked alongside the police, CPFs, the Department of Home Affairs, the Sedgefield community and Knysna and Eden Disaster Management to provide essential relief to those accommodated at temporary safety centres.

The co-ordinated response included the distribution of sleeping mats, blankets, hygiene packs and hot meals to provide those awaiting repatriation with basic necessities.

According to Gift of the Givers, the intervention focused on meeting the immediate needs of those people who had sought safety and requested voluntary repatriation.

The organisation also acknowledged the support from local volunteers and community organisations that assisted with the relief effort. “A sincere thank you to Jenny Devenish and the Sedgefield Lions for generously assisting with the preparation of hot meals.

Your kindness and dedication bring comfort and hope to those facing an uncertain time,” the organisation said.

Community collaboration praised

The Knysna DA has commended the collaborative response, describing the past week as an emotional but rewarding effort in assisting more than 370 Malawian nationals.

In a Facebook post on Sunday 5 July, the party praised the co-ordinated work of all involved organisations and thanked the residents, businesses and organisations that had contributed donations and support to those who had been displaced.

The Knysna CPF echoed these sentiments, saying it was heartwarming to witness seven buses carrying foreign nationals depart from Sedgefield shortly after midnight on 5 July, after several days of uncertainty.

According to the CPF, a co-ordinated team comprising the police, the CPF, the Community in Blue (CIB), the Knysna Municipality and Law Enforcement had provided humanitarian care at the Hornlee Civic Centre before facilitating the transport to Sedgefield.

There, the Department of Home Affairs, Gift of the Givers, local councillors, community organisations and volunteers continued providing assistance before the group departed for Musina.

The CPF also paid tribute to the many organisations and individuals who had rallied behind the effort. Contributions ranged from hot meals, blankets, warm clothing and footwear to cellphone charging facilities, transport assistance and other essential supplies.

Special acknowledgement was given to the Knysna Rotary Club, Oakhill School, the Sedgefield Lions, the Red Cross, local feeding teams and the many volunteers who had worked tirelessly throughout the operation.

The organisation further thanked the police’s leadership, municipal officials, law enforcement officers and all personnel on the ground for ensuring those displaced were safely accommodated, transported and cared for while maintaining security at the temporary shelters.

Operation successfully concluded

The Knysna Municipality has since confirmed that the voluntary repatriation operation has been successfully completed and the joint operations centre (JOC) has been officially closed.

According to the municipality, 380 undocumented persons departed by bus for Musina on Saturday evening, the transport being provided by the provincial government.

The refugees had been temporarily accommodated in two municipal halls, where their immediate humanitarian needs were met.

The municipality extended its sincere appreciation to the Gift of the Givers for the vital role it played in providing assistance throughout the process.

The Knysna Municipality also thanked all the government departments, agencies and partner organisations that participated in the JOC, praising their co-ordinated efforts, professionalism and commitment to ensuring the repatriation process was conducted safely, humanely and efficiently.

Gift of the Givers teams provide humanitarian assistance to hundreds of displaced Malawian refugees at the Sedgefield Community Hall as they await voluntary repatriation to their home country. Photo source: Gift of the Givers/Facebook