As South Africa continues its battle against the spread of COVID-19, it is vital to help protect the people on the frontlines who are ensuring that the rest of us are safe. The consistent use of masks, gloves and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the reason why our healthcare workers can continuously assist people infected with the virus without contracting it themselves. This equipment is how other essential services, like police officers and social workers, can support the rest of us while still being shielded from infection.
However, South African supplies of PPE are limited, which is why President Cyril Ramaphosa – alongside leaders of countries across Africa – have recently announced that they will be accepting hundreds of thousands of masks, testing kits and ventilators donated from China to assist in medical efforts across the continent.
While air travel for private citizens remains mostly unavailable in South Africa, through the coming months South African Airways (SAA) will be making numerous trips to countries, including China, to collect donations and offshore purchases of PPE that we need to curb infections and treat those afflicted with the Coronavirus.
This is why TotalEnergies South Africa has offered to donate 400 000 litres of jet fuel to the South African Solidarity Response Fund, which has contracted Imperial Logistics to assist in coordinating the South African Airways (SAA) flights to retrieve these much-appreciated PPE donations. The fuel will be provided at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
“We understand that the jet fuel for these essential flights is costly, which is why TotalEnergies South Africa wanted to help out as best we can. We want to make sure that South Africa is well-equipped to fight the pandemic,” said Sunil Gandhi, General Manager for Strategy, Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Communications at TotalEnergies South Africa.
The Solidarity Response Fund was created on 23 March 2020 to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, and has been responsible for administering more than R2.5 billion in donations – with the help of Old Mutual – to fund various initiatives that help the citizens of South Africa during this unprecedented time.
For more information, visit https://solidarityfund.co.za/
To receive updates, news and information on the COVID-19 situation in South Africa, visit www.sacoronavirus.co.za or WhatsApp “Hi” to 0600 123 456. You may also contact the national institute for communicable diseases (NICD) hotline on 0800 029 999.