UR Tornado: Tongaat

As has been the case in Kwa-Zulu Natal over the past four years, crisis has once again touched our province. A tornado touched down in Tongaat on 3 June, and caused widespread destruction, loss of life and despair. While the dash to provide immediate relief to the newly vulnerable is underway, Ubuntu Army would like to issue a word of caution.

To civil and community

To organisations on the ground, to corporates wishing to assist, and to the beautiful people, near and far, who are assisting, or who would like to contribute, please be aware that this crisis will not be resolved in the next two or three weeks.

Please be aware that the path to safety and security for the newly vulnerable is a long one, and, as Ubuntu Army has learnt repeatedly in Inanda over the past four years, many relief efforts, good intentions, sponsorships and able-bodies-on-the-ground, fade out and disappear within the first two weeks of the disaster (at about the same time that the cameras leave the area).

If you are on the ground, then please begin creating logistics and supply chains with a view to long range response, and recovery. Create a map of all those affected and service that map diligently. Pace yourselves, and distribute resources slowly and deliberately. Look after yourselves. Eat, sleep and rest. Prepare yourselves for a long fight.

If you would like to contribute to the Tongaat Tornado Disaster, then please visit and contribute what you can. Please mark all contributions specifically for Tongaat as TORNADO. All funds will be used to directly assist the newly vulnerable, with a view to long range response and recovery. Food, bedding, clothes and any other donations can be dropped at Ubuntu Army HQ at 141 Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North. Ubuntu