European Union contributes €200,000 to UNICEF’s ongoing response for children affected by KZN floods

PRETORIA, 19 July 2022 – UNICEF is set to expand essential services for children and families affected by the floods in Kwa Zulu-Natal thanks to a new commitment of €200,000 from the European Union (EU).

The resources will enable UNICEF South Africa to sustain and further scale-up its response to the most vulnerable children, women and displaced families. This includes improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, multipurpose cash assistance, as well as psychosocial and mental health support to help them in their recovery process.

“The European Union is committed to supporting the most vulnerable people affected by the widespread flooding across parts of Kwa Zulu-Natal,” said Alexandre Castellano, EU humanitarian aid emergency coordinator for Southern Africa. “Children, women and displaced families need all the support they can get to alleviate the impact of the floods on their wellbeing.” 

The KZN flooding was some of the worst in history, with more than 448 people losing their lives and nearly 17,700 families being displaced.

“The impact of the floods on children and families has been devastating,” said Christine Muhigana, UNICEF Representative to South Africa. “This generous support from the European Union will help UNICEF to reach children in greatest need through improving and sustaining access to critical services and mitigating the impact of the floods on families' coping mechanisms,” added Muhigana.

The European Union’s funding to UNICEF will ensure that:

• Some 10,200 people receive improved access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.
• 350 families receive a one-off multipurpose cash donation to help support their essential needs, resources that will be reinvested into the local economy.
• 500 caregivers and children are provided child protection support, including access to social workers and counsellors to help them recover from their traumatic experiences and prevent of and respond to violence.

UNICEF’s KZN flood response forms part of the UN’s relief efforts in support of the Government of South Africa, including KZN provincial authorities. The EU-funded work is being implemented through UNICEF partners, including World Vision, Envirosan, and Refugee Social Services.