There's no hive of activity at Gift of the Givers Logistics Centre in Bramley, no preparation of search and rescue teams, no preparation of medical teams flying in from across the country, no chartered flight laden with high quality medical, search and rescue equipment and essential supplies, not because of Lockdown, but because our paramedics and front line medical professionals are jointly needed with fellow health care workers to assist each other and our South African population that has the 5th highest rate of Covid-19 infection in the world.

That doesn't mean that we can't assist humankind in distress in other parts of the world. Gift of the Givers has partner networks globally to increase the speed of disaster intervention where calls are made for international assistance. Having assisted Lebanon in 2006 we have a "feel" of the environment. In recent years we work with Ghirass, a social development agency, that hosted us at a humanitarian conference in Istanbul last year. They also visited South Africa. Gift of the Givers intervention in Beirut will be facilitated by Ghirass who will facilitate the purchase and distribution of food, water, blankets, clothing and medical supplies with the initial R1 million being transferred today. Funding for rental accommodation to house 300 000 displaced people whose homes were destroyed by the explosion and to support families whose bread winners perished in the tragedy will be a generous compassionate gesture.

Contributions into Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052278611, Branch Code 057525, ref Lebanon. Please send deposit slip to donations@giftofthegivers.org. Make a Difference