The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman, to hand-over a cheque of R 1 Million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) today, 24 November 2010, in Pretoria

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Marius Fransman, will hand over a cheque valued at R1 million to the World Health Organisation today, Wednesday 24 November 2010, at the DIRCO Pretoria offices as part of the humanitarian relief efforts aimed at alleviating the ongoing health crisis in Haiti. This responds to the call made by the United Nations on 12 November 2010 that a total of $164 million is sought to improve water and sanitation services in Haiti, mount a public information campaign to help prevent the spread of cholera, as well as scaling up medical capacity by building specialised Cholera Treatment Centres (CTCs), smaller treatment units and oral rehydration centres.

“As South Africa is a responsible global player, we deem it fit to join these efforts to save life and the entire humanity in Haiti,” said Deputy Minister Fransman. "We further make a clarion call to all and sundry in the Republic to lend a hand to the suffering people of Haiti who find themselves in this untenable situation created by one natural disaster after another.”

When Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake earlier this year, DIRCO led South Africa’s effort in participating in search and rescue operations, relief programmes and reconstruction initiatives. The effort did not only involve the public sector, but also the civil society and the private sector. Earlier this year after the earthquake has struck Haiti, the Department contributed R1 million from its coffers to Rescue SA to undertake a search and rescue operations in that country. Furthermore, it also contributed R2.1 million to humanitarian assistance activities of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Organisation (WFP) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Haiti. 

Beyond this, a partnership between government, private sector and the civil society pledged to contribute a further R5 million to the reconstruction efforts of Haiti. Immediately thereafter, a major South African company contributed R5 million to a civil society organization that was involved in relief efforts in Haiti. A major announcement regarding contributions made by ordinary South Africans will be made in due course.

For more information, please contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on +27 82 940 1647, +27 12 351 0083 or e-mail him at molobisk@dirco.gov.za.

All journalists wishing to cover the event at 13h00 at the DIRCO offices should please call Mr Curtis Singo on 012 351 1000 or +27 72 625 7060.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation
OR Tambo Building
Private Bag x152
Pretoria, RSA
0001

24 November 2010