According to the force, South Africa's homeless are in desperate need of urgent help during the national lockdown. The homeless are unable to make a living.

The force says that "if we as a nation don't act soon, there will be death and disaster that rivals the carnage being caused by the coronavirus".

The SDI Force has strived to assist the government by delivering food and hygiene products in a COVID-compliant manner. It indicates that it has been operating off an existing logistics framework created for Supplier Development Initiatives (SDI). The force functions as a non-profit, emergency relief programme during the national COVID-19 crisis.

The force, however, has reported that the fund to finance its initiative is running low; without additional funding, its efforts can't continue. The programme has requested that businesses donate on the Unity Values website.

The force says that on a national level, there is a large amount of money being pumped into other COVID-19-related funds, and while this shows how big South African hearts are, it is taking far too long for this cash to be released and used in emergency efforts.

Donations to the SDI Force fund are released immediately to aid operational costs and to buy food packs for citizens. Johannesburg has 15 000 homeless who are in need of urgent attention.

Initially, the SDI Force looked at delivering R1 000 food packs to help families over a length of time, but now the focus has shifted to creating smaller three-day relief packs.

"If we can raise the funds to deliver these then we can keep the wolf from the door," says Andile Ramaphosa, SDI Force co-founder. "But time is running out and the situation is starting to look worrying. We can't appeal loudly enough: we need help."

"We are fortunate to have a tried-and-tested, world-class operating system in place," says Brad Fisher, ADreach managing director and SDI co-founder.

"As such, we have quickly turned SDI into an effective tool to help with relief efforts. But there is only so much we can do without further funding," concludes Fisher.

While the primary focus is on providing food and sanitation, the force has indicated that if more money is raised, then the plan is to re-train SDI micro-suppliers, like waste-pickers and Sweep South cleaners, and give them the skills to be deployed as sanitising personnel.

Part of this extra funding will also be channelled into homeless shelters, protective gear and warm wear to keep out the cold. Because of SDI Force’s national footprint, it is in a unique position to roll these efforts out across the country. 

Every delivery is done according to very strict safety criteria, fully compliant with all measures and restrictions imposed during the national lockdown.

To contribute to emergency relief items such as food packs, COVID-19 personal protective equipment, shelter, sleeping bags or apparel, individuals can make a donation here.

For corporates to support equipment provision, or for the repurposing of existing equipment to be COVID-compliant for micro-suppliers to do their work, individuals are encouraged to contact Laura on 083 468 3867.

For more information, visit www.unityvalues.com.