PRETORIA, South Africa, 18 May 2026 — As devastating floods continue to impact communities across South Africa, Ford Philanthropy has joined forces with disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers to provide emergency assistance to families affected by severe flooding in the Northern Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape and south-Western Cape.
Torrential rainfall and rising floodwaters have left roads submerged, communities isolated and thousands of residents in urgent need of support. In response, Ford Philanthropy partnered with Gift of the Givers to help deliver essential aid, including food parcels, bottled water, blankets and other emergency supplies to some of the country’s hardest-hit areas.
The situation in the Northern Cape has proven especially challenging, with floodwaters near Kuruman creating dozens of isolated pockets of land that left families stranded and inaccessible by road. To reach these communities, Gift of the Givers worked alongside the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), expanding relief operations into the air through the deployment of helicopters carrying critical supplies.
Ford Philanthropy says the initiative reflects its broader approach to community support, which extends beyond financial contributions to include practical assistance through its people, dealer network and mobility resources.
“Having strong partnerships is key to meaningful impact,” said Mary Culler, President of Ford Philanthropy. “Through Ford Building Together, that means more than writing a check. We are putting the full power of Ford, our employees, dealers, and vehicles to support our partners like Gift of the Givers.”
Additional support came from the wider Ford dealer network, with Kuruman Ford assisting relief teams on the ground by providing vehicles and volunteers to help transport and distribute aid to isolated residents.
The flood relief operation forms part of Ford Philanthropy’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable communities during times of crisis while contributing to longer-term resilience and recovery initiatives. In landscapes where roads became rivers and neighbourhoods turned into temporary islands, the combined effort of humanitarian organisations, emergency services and private sector partners has become a lifeline for affected families.
