The Darul Islam Relief Fund (DARF) will send another consignment of aid to the community of Loeriesfonein on Friday. Loeriesfontein is a small town in the Northern Cape badly affected by the country’s drought.
The organisation’s Shaykh Irafaan Abrahams says the water scarcity has is major setback for residents, who are already living in impoverished conditions. Through working with the Awqaf Foundation, they hope to build boreholes as an alternative water resource in the next three weeks.

But food security remains a challenge in the present, and thus has prompted the DARF to provide immediate relief to the community with food aid. 5000 people will be assisted with meat, rice and potatoes for each family.

“The drought is a crisis…and we are very concerned at the moment. We feel it’s the least we can do,” said Abrahams.

Water restrictions have been put in place in the region. The Department of Water and Sanitation is implementing a 10% and 15% water restriction for domestic water use in the Orange River and 15% and 20% water curtailment for domestic and irrigation water use for the Vaal River water systems respectively.
Nomvula Mokonyane, minister of Water and Sanitation, has announced that R1,8 billion has been spent thus far in dealing with the drought and that government will need additional funding for drought relief. Out of the R1,8 billion, 7 400 boreholes have been drilled or refurbished countrywide and water tankers and water pipes provided.

But Abrahams believes smaller community projects can go a long way in relieving the plight of residents.

“We visited Loeriesfontein three weeks ago and the situation is still very bad. Inshallah, with the boreholes, we are positive the problem will be resolved. Instead of having water for two hours, we could manage to provide them water for 6 to 8 hours.”

The trucks hits the road from Darul Islam masjid in Surrey Estate from 10pm, while Abrahams and MJC deputy president Maulana Abdul Khaliq Allie will depart for the region at midnight.

The initiative is being sponsored by Altius Investment, Spice Mecca and through donations from the community.

Anyone who wants to donate can contact the Surrey Estate masjid on 021 638 7333. VOC

Also read: https://voiceofthecape.wpengine.com/water-project-goes-off-well-in-loeriesfontein/