MSC Foundation launches 1-million-rand relief initiative for Kwazulu-Natal flood victims

Food and other vital necessities being delivered direct to communities in need through trusted NGOs long-established on the ground

Focus Area: Community Support

Sustained torrential rain across KwaZulu-Natal in south-eastern South Africa led to deadly floods in early April 2022, causing landslides, destroying thousands of homes and washing away bridges and roads. The death toll was estimated to be at least 398 people on the 13th of April, when a provincial state of emergency was declared. Critical infrastructure was also damaged, disrupting electricity and water supplies as well as terrestrial and mobile phone networks, making relief efforts more difficult.

Acting on the MSC Group’s strong commitment to its communities, the MSC Foundation, MSC Cruises and MSC Cargo responded promptly to support the local populations in the unfolding emergency. Together, they were able to launch a 1-million-rand initiative within a week, providing food parcels, blankets and other vital necessities for swift distribution by trusted NGOs already established on the ground.

In addition, MSC Orchestra and two MSC Cargo ships, all currently operating out of Durban, donated clean drinking water from their onboard water treatment plants.

Ross Volk, MD of MSC Cruises South Africa, commented: “The KwaZulu-Natal community is very close to our hearts at the MSC Group. We have a large base with many personal connections in the Province, having invested heavily here, most recently with the new KwaZulu Cruise Terminal. Our heartfelt sympathy is with the families who have been affected by this devastation and our condolences go out to those that have lost loved ones. We are determined to do everything we can to help in this time of great need.”

MSC Foundation Executive Director Daniela Picco added: “We are grateful we could give back to our KwaZulu-Natal communities in this way, providing rapid essential support in a terrible emergency. The speed and scale of the relief effort would have been impossible without MSC’s global reach and close local ties.”