SANParks appeals for help to restore Kruger National Park following severe flooding
The Kruger National Park (KNP) has suffered extensive damage due to severe flooding, prompting urgent calls for national and international support.
As a result, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has announced the establishment of the Kruger Recovery Fund.
“I am pleased to confirm the establishment of SANParks’ Kruger Recovery Fund,” said Aucamp.
“There have been several bridges washed away, roads washed away, and a number of camps that have been flooded,” said Aucamp.
He explained that the damage is so widespread that SANParks estimates it runs into hundreds of millions, with around 15 camps still closed and many completely inaccessible.
This highlights the critical need for external assistance, as Aucamp and SANParks appeal to South Africans, businesses, and international partners to contribute to this national effort.
Aucamp also praised SANParks’ response with early warnings that ensured no lives were lost, commending the employees for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to saving human lives.
The recovery fund
The establishment of the Kruger Recovery Fund underlines SANParks’ commitment to safeguarding South Africa’s most iconic national park.
It will prioritise the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, restoration of affected habitats, and support for the communities that rely on the park’s operations.
SANParks emphasised that every contribution will directly support the park’s long-term conservation and economic sustainability.
It also confirmed that donations to the Kruger Recovery Fund will be professionally managed and audited by three independent, reputable audit firms. This ensures transparency and accountability for all contributions made by the public, corporate partners, and other stakeholders.
A world-renowned park
The Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship reserve, a vital contributor to the country’s biodiversity, and a cornerstone of the country’s tourism economy.
It was established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, and now comprises nearly 2 million hectares.
This includes an unrivalled diversity of life forms, as it is home to 336 tree species, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds, and 147 mammals, and leads in environmental management techniques.
The Kruger National Park is appealing to the South African public to help restore its infrastructure, legacy, resilience, and future for generations to come.
Click here to support the rehabilitation of the Kruger National Park.
Loading ...