It is only by standing together as citizens of a local and global community that we will be able to combat COVID-19. We are all in this together and we all have a positive role to play.
When the world starts to recover and we look back on this time of uncertainty and disruption, it will be humanity’s contributions of compassion, generosity and bravery that will be remembered and celebrated.
Rallying together, supporting each other and our communities must be the order of the day. Below is a brief summary of some of the efforts that team Sasol is driving.
Johannesburg
To support our fenceline clinics, hospitals and places of public interest such as taxi ranks and bus stations as well as frontline responders (health officials, police and emergency personnel), the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster Management department received 1625 litres of sanitiser, 1000 masks, 1000 gloves and 700 bars of soap. eThekwini Municipality received 2100 litres of sanitiser, 1000 masks, 1000 gloves and 2000 bars of soap.
Over 1500 litres of sanitiser, 1000 gloves, 2000 bars of soap and 1000 masks were also handed over to the City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Health and Social Development to support places of public interest, the elderly on pension payout day (SASSA) and municipal workers.
Mozambique
Six multifunctional containers were handed over to the Provincial Health Department in Temane. Provincial Health Department leader Sónia Maheso said the containers will be used for consultations and, depending on the needs of each health unit, can be used for hospitalisation in Inhassoro. Maheso also said that the containers will be a major contributor in elevating the demand on hospital beds and facilities. Sasol will be distributing 60 000 litres of sanitiser over the next three months in Mozambique which will include the Inhassoro and Inhambane regions.
Secunda
In order to support medical and quarantine facilities close to our operations, Sasol has donated products such as masks, gloves, sanitisers, hand soap, visors, linen, blankets, cutlery and medical aprons. To date, over 14 000 litres of sanitiser has been distributed to our stakeholders around the Gert Sibande District, with the District Department of Health being one of the recipients. In collaboration with the municipality, Sasol participated in and supported the district’s education and awareness campaign.
Sasol has supported the Mpumalanga Department of Health with the building and upgrading of clinics, provision of mobile clinics and medical resources. This includes the resourcing of the Evander Hospital which was carried out in response to the call by the Mpumalanga government for the private sector to assist in improving the facilities of hospitals in the area.
In addition, Sasol will provide ten administrators to assist the Department of Health with data capturing of screening.
Sasolburg
In Sasolburg, Sasol has partnered with a number of government and community structures to help combat the spread of COVID-19 as part of our community response plan. Every week, 2 000 litres of sanitiser are distributed to 41 clinics and 5 hospitals in the Fezile Dabi District, as well as the local SAPS, Public Safety, Correctional Services, Metsimaholo Local Municipality offices, District Municipal offices, Provincial Department of Health and community support structures. Additionally, our team has:
- Supported the Fezile Dabi District Department of Health with a donation of 2 700 FFP2 masks and 30 700 pairs of surgical gloves for use by healthcare workers;
- Assisted with accommodation for 52 South African National Defence Force members who are deployed in Metsimaholo;
- Donated 3 000 non-medical cloth face masks to the elderly and physically challenged in Metsimaholo which were sourced from a local entrepreneur.
North America
Sasol North America pledged $100,000 to communities where we operate in the US to assist with COVID-19 response initiatives, in the City of Tucson our team presented a COVID-19 relief donation to the Fire and Police Departments. This will be used to purchase necessary personal protective equipment and sanitizer for these essential employees. In Louisiana, Sasol presented the COVID-19 relief donation to Tony Mancuso, Sheriff of Calcasieu Parish. The donation will cover COVID-19 related expenses for front-line emergency responders.
In these challenging and uncertain times, Sasol will remain a responsible and active corporate citizen as we fully recognise our duty and deeper responsibility to continue supporting our fenceline communities.
