The General Secretary of the South African Council Churches, Mr. Eddie Makue, has welcomed the Minister of Social Development's announcement of the allocation of R124 million to the national Social Security Agency for the short-term relief of households in extreme financial distress.

"The Council supported the Social Relief of Distress provisions of the 2004 Social Assistance Act," said Makue, "so we are extremely pleased that funds are now being made available for this purpose."

"Given the recent increases in food and fuel prices that have placed poor households under considerable strain, the Minister's announcement is timely and doubly welcome," Makue added.

He indicated that the Council would honour the Minister's request to faith-based organizations to assist in publicizing the availability of these funds. The Council has alerted its members and provincial structures to the allocations, as well as the criteria for accessing the grants.

"Whilst we applaud government for responding to the critical needs that so many households are experiencing, we continue to call for further action to ensure that all South Africans enjoy access to comprehensive social security," Makue said.

For more information, contact: Mr. Eddie Makue, General Secretary (082 853 8781)