5 February, 2003

Press Release

Council to launch a disaster relief centre

The City of Johannesburg (Region 5) will officially launch the first Disaster Relief Centre for Johannesburg in Roodepoort on Thursday (13 February 2003).

The launching ceremony for the Engedi Crisis Relief Centre, situated at shaft 5 of the disused Durban Roodepoort Deep Gold Mine, will be at 10am.

Eunice Letlape spokesperson for Region 5 said: "The centre will provide essential services required in a disaster situation, such as food, plackets, clothing, shelter and hospitality for individuals and families affected".

This is an initiative by the Disaster Relief Committee, which was formed in 2001 to assist with the critical needs for disaster victims in the Johannesburg area.

The committee consists of the City of Johannesburg's Disaster Management Unit, Social Services department and Health department, Organisations of Civil services such as Rhema hands of Compassion, Operation Job Creation, Community Policing Forum and businesses like the Mokudedi Funeral homes.

The premise is large enough to accommodate a number of income generating projects to enable the centre to become self-sustaining in the long term. Some of the planned project includes recycling, manufacturing of domestic cleaning products for sale, vegetable and mixed gardening and welding and carpentry workshops

Ends

Nthatisi Modingoane
Media Liaison Officer
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Tel: (011) 407 7354
Fax: 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za