At around midday on Tuesday, 29 September a fire destroyed a large residential building at 10 Mordaunt Street in Jeppestown in central Johannesburg. The fire spread rapidly from floor to floor, forcing residents to flee without their belongings.
The building housed approximately 500 residents, some of the city’s poorest, who are now destitute and without shelter.
Request for support
Individuals and organisations are requested to help with the provision of emergency support, whether in cash or in kind, to meet any of the following urgent needs:
- Sanitation (port-a-loos, hand sanitation, etc)
- Drinkable water
- Blankets
- Temporary shelter
- Food items
- Clothing
- Household items.
Who is coordinating the response?
Bjala is a Jeppe-based social development organisation located 650 metres from the building that was destroyed. Bjala was founded in 2012 by people with from various backgrounds – including human rights law, urban development, education and community activism – who shared a common vision for social development.
To date, the organisation has participated in affordable housing projects, co-founded a primary school, facilitated the formation of community forums, incubated arts and culture initiatives, successfully partnered with a number of social enterprise organisations, and raised funds for a number of not-for-profit initiatives.
Bjala serves:
- Low-income earners in Jeppe;
- Those in need of low-income housing;
- The existing Jeppe community, as well as Jeppe’s future community;
- Children needing access to affordable quality education; and
- Those seeking opportunities for jobs, skill and education in Jeppestown.
We look forward to working with you in relieving the plight of the victims of this unfortunate event.
Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Chantal Mann on 084 316 8763, via chantal@bjala.co.za, or on site at Bjala Square, 28 Madison Street, Jeppestown.
ENDS
Issued by:
Bjala – www.bjala.co.za