Isuzu at the forefront of rural disaster relief

Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) has renewed its commitment to support humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers to reach remote locations in South Africa.

IMSAf executive: corporate and public affairs, Mandlakazi Sigcawu, says that Gift of the Givers was provided with D-Max bakkies and Isuzu trucks to continue their lifesaving work across the country. “The supporting of communities affected by natural disasters is a key pillar guiding IMSAf’s corporate social responsibility initiatives,” she explains.

“Our vehicles can access the most challenging terrain. We believe they will provide Gift of the Givers with the logistical support they require when responding to crises and natural disasters. Through our partnership, remote communities desperately affected by drought and other socio-economic conditions exacerbated by Covid-19 will be assisted.”

Gift of the Givers director of strategic planning Badr Kazi describes the value of the Isuzu partnership as “inestimable”.

“It adds to the existing capacity of our organisation in the most significant way. The D-Max bakkies allow our senior project managers to have reliable vehicles to effect positive change in rural areas of the country where few aid organisations go.

“Rural parts of South Africa are often overlooked because of their inaccessibility. The Isuzu fleet will allow us to supply remote communities with humanitarian aid, water and improved health facilities,” he says.

The Isuzu trucks (an Isuzu FSR 800 tanker truck and two FTR 850 trucks) are used for water relief efforts in the Eastern Cape. The trucks have been fitted with water tanks and operate in Makhanda (formerly known as Grahamstown), Salem, Alicedale, Seven Fountains, Adelaide, Bedford, Graaff-Reinet, Nieu Bethesda and Klipplaat.

In Makhanda, the local community, including 18 clinics and schools, remains reliant on the Isuzu tankers for their daily water supply. The water is transported from boreholes sunk by Gift of the Givers early in 2019 when taps started running dry.

The three Isuzu trucks have transported 5,85 million litres of water over the past year alone.

Hats off to Isuzu for this terrific initiative!