PRETORIA, South Africa, 18 May 2026 - Ford Philanthropy, together with disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers, is supporting emergency flood relief efforts across several provinces following severe flooding that has devastated communities in the Northern Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape and south-Western Cape.
As relentless rains and rising floodwaters cut off roads and isolated communities, Ford Philanthropy partnered with Gift of the Givers to help deliver critical aid, including food parcels, bottled water, blankets and emergency supplies to affected families.
In the Northern Cape, floodwaters near Kuruman created dozens of isolated “islands”, leaving families stranded and unreachable by road. Working alongside the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), Gift of the Givers expanded relief efforts into the skies, deploying helicopters to airlift essential supplies to communities cut off by the floods.
“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.”
Support also came from the broader Ford dealer network. Kuruman Ford assisted Gift of the Givers on the ground by providing additional vehicles and volunteers to help transport and distribute emergency supplies to isolated communities.
The relief effort forms part of Ford Philanthropy’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities during times of crisis and helping build long-term resilience. For the full story, read the Ford From the Road feature here: How Ford South Africa Helped When Roads Became Rivers
