Emergency relief efforts for Rhodes Memorial, UCT fire under way - here's how to help

Image source: University of Cape Town Libraries

UCT has since set up an emergency relief fund for approximately 4,000 of its displaced students after having to evacuate some of its residences. Emergency accommodation is being arranged for the students and Gift of the Givers has been appointed to manage the feeding programme. The public may drop off any donated essential and food items at the Old Mutual West Campus, 91 Jan Smuts Road in Pinelands.

Our teams made door to door �� deliveries to students at various accomadation sites.

Many thanks to our volunteers for their outstanding dedication ��#MakeADifference #ForTheGreaterGood #DisasterResponse #Coronavirus #COVID19inSA #StaySafeSouthAfrica #CapeTown #UCTFire pic.twitter.com/E1LWP6m7I5

— Gift of the Givers (@GiftoftheGivers) April 18, 2021

Cash contributions specifically for #UCTfire relief can be made to Gift of the Givers here.

UCT campus evacuated, classes suspended after fire guts library

Shan Radcliffe  19 Apr 2021

UCT emergency relief fund

UCT has also set up an emergency relief fund, calling on all those who are able to donate to use the following details:

Account name: UCT Donations
Bank: Standard Bank of South Africa
Branch code: 025009
Account number: 071522387
Swift code: SBZAZAJJ

Donors should include their name if they wish to, as well as the purpose/reference for their donation (#UCTFire).

Part of the UCT library, residences and upper campus buildings were damaged by the fire, however the university is unable to confirm the extent of the damage yet. All academic activities for Monday and Tuesday have been suspended.

Thoughts and prayers are with all affected by the fire and with the firefighters at the scene.

Thank you to the brave women and men working tirelessly to get the fire under control. #CapeTownFires #uctfire pic.twitter.com/PS6mEVtWNE

— SAMNET (@SAMNET786) April 19, 2021

Assist fire crews with donations

Members of the public are also encouraged to drop off essential and food items at the various fire stations for the fire crews battling the ongoing blaze. For more information on how to donate to the Volunteer Wildfire Services, click here.

Shoprite Mobile Soup Kitchen steps up

The Shoprite Group is also supporting UCT students impacted by the fire by providing warm meals. Early this morning the Shoprite Mobile Soup Kitchen started serving students housed at the Mupine College in Pinelands, and it will continue to serve meals at additional locations providing temporary accommodation for UCT students for as long as necessary.

Customers wishing to donate non-perishable food items can do so at the collection trolleys that have been made available at the following Checkers and Checkers Hyper supermarkets in the Western Cape: Rondebosch, Kenilworth, Plumstead, Meadowridge, Tokai, Canal Walk and Brackenfell.

Checkers supports firefighters with water, energy drinks

How to assist the Cape of Good Hope SPCA

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has also mobilised its teams in the area in order to assist with animal rescue efforts. It says that as soon as it is safe to do so, it will be combing the fire-ravaged areas for any injured animals which will be taken to its short-term wildlife care facility for treatment.

It has requested donations of dressings, bandages, Silbecor ointment, cool packs, fresh fruit and vegetables for the animals and supplies, including energy drinks, energy bars and eyedrops for the team in the field.

[SAFE HAVEN] The SPCA, PDSA and Frits Dog Hotel has opened our doors to assist people evacuating their animals free of charge. Details in the link below https://t.co/PzKoLycXd7

— Cape of Good Hope SPCA (@capespca) April 19, 2021

Donation drop-off points include the following Absolute Pets stores:

• Flamingo Square
  
• Welgemoed
  
• Cape Gate
  
• Gardens
  
• Cavendish
  
• Constantia

For more information on how to donate, click here.

Rhodes Memorial Fire Update #CTNews

FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES:
• Active firefighting is concentrated in the the following areas: Vredehoek, Philip Kgosana Drive and UCT
• City firefighting resources dispatched include 32 firefighting appliances and more than 150 firefighters pic.twitter.com/KZwKYwoXYo

— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) April 19, 2021

SANParks has advised the public to stay away from the following areas: Newlands Forest, Groote Schuur Estate, Rhodes Memorial, Devil's Peak, Tafelberg Road, Vredehoek, and Deer Park. This after cyclists and dog walkers attempted to go about their usual day-to-day activities this morning within the Table Mountain National Park, according to SANParks spokesperson Rey Thakhuli.