SPONSORED - In the wake of the devastating floods in the Eastern Cape, which have taken the lives of more than 100 people, AVBOB reached out to families who lost loved ones to offer compassion and care during this time of grief.
AVBOB representatives have been on the ground in and around Mthatha to support flood-affected families and communities in making arrangements to send their departed loved ones off with dignity. A number of burials, mostly of children, have been entrusted to AVBOB. These were conducted over the past few weeks and will continue into the month of July.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government is coordinating the crucial support it has received, which includes burial services and the transportation of departed loved ones. According to a statement from the provincial government, these provisions were made possible through dedicated support from AVBOB. The provincial government is also engaging other funeral service providers in an effort to secure additional support for affected families.
Pieter van der Westhuizen, General Manager: Funeral Service at AVBOB Mutual Assurance Society, said that families requiring assistance to bury their loved ones are welcome to reach out to their nearest AVBOB branch.
“It is during these difficult times that we reaffirm our commitment to compassion and standing alongside the communities we serve. Our shared humanity unites and binds us to one another. The shared need for dignity, comfort and compassion when faced with death is a commitment we always embrace to serve our members and society,” he explained.
AVBOB is a people-centred organisation, deeply rooted in its founding principle of putting the wellbeing of communities first – especially in times of need. Over the years, AVBOB has played a pivotal role in supporting families in distress, especially during disasters, such as the Enyobeni tavern tragedy in 2022 where 21 young people lost their lives.