Relieve, Repair, Restore Knysna has been declared a disaster area. It went on to consume much of the Garden Route. It was a terrifying and desperate scene.
The Knysna Fires of 7 - 12 June 2017 are widely considered one of the most devastating to hit South Africa since, well, as as far back as we’ve documented. Sparks ignited suddenly in the early hours of a particularly balmy, mid-winters Wednesday morning. A severe drought along with gale-force winds contributed to rapid infernos that swept through the Knysna surrounds and then took the town itself.
As clouds of black smoke and curtains of coals descended on the region, diminishing visibility and panic ensued. With authorities unprepared and overwhelmed, the town was officially in a state of emergency by Wednesday evening. During this chaos, 4 superdudes created a Whatsapp group to help their friends with emergency support online and on the ground. Within a few hours the group multiplied and went viral, with over 2000 individuals being guided to safety and sanity across the region, country and the world. Yes, the world; people from abroad with loved ones, homes, livestock and pets in the area were tuning in for updates and support as very little information was available from local infrastructure or mainstream media. As the flames died down in the ensuing days and ashes turned to tears, the Whatsapp groups ‘Eden Fire Relief’ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 naturally evolved into a platform for relief, aid, coordination of supplies for stranded individuals, the homeless, charity groups, fundraisers, and wildlife preservation. The huge task of responding to and coordinating, the constant requests along with monitoring ongoing smouldering fires and evacuations opened a gap for two multi-tasking lady ninjas to join the crew, and ‘Eden Be Needin’ was formed. We are now a few weeks into the complete devastation of hundreds of square kilometres of critical biodiversity including indigenous forest and fynbos regions. For the most part, human rehabilitation - homes, food schemes and personal injury - is being addressed, but surviving wildlife that once called Eden home has fled or is stranded in the burnt wastelands and is in danger of dehydrating or starving to death. With the help of experts and the generosity of the public and private institutions alike, Eden Be Needin’ has initiated a focused wildlife and habitat restoration project that prioritises the rehabilitation of the now-gaping hole in our wildlands. With monitored feeding schemes, a reforestation focus, erosion mitigation efforts and educational outreach, there is a hope that the forests and its creatures will return to a thriving state. These habitats are already compromised by human-created climate change, industrial farming and encroaching urbanisation. Without help, we fear that this decimation of territory will lead to a dramatic depletion of species including the rare Brenton Blue Butterfly, the Knysna Dwarf Chameleon & the Leto Venus moth. We are six self-organising beat boxers for the creatures working with a growing community of compassionate doers to make a dent in the inevitable wildlife death toll and help restore the soul and soil of Eden. You're invited to help heal it. For years to come. For sponsorship and funding, you may use the following accounts:
South Africa:
Nedbank
Current Acc: 1048111032
Branch: 104809
Reference: EdenBeNeedin'
