Hunter Diesel Bakkies Power Coordinated Disaster Response with CERT-SA

Mossel Bay, South Africa – As Mossel Bay and surrounding communities continue to recover from the severe wildfires that swept through the region in early January, Changan has stepped in with practical, on-the-ground support, sponsoring Hunter Diesel bakkies to assist relief and humanitarian operations led by the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT-SA), in partnership with Skitterblink.

The coordinated wildfire disaster relief operation took place across Mossel Bay and surrounding areas in the Western Cape, with support from local fire services, emergency responders and local authorities. Changan acted as the main vehicle sponsor, enabling mobility, logistics and supply delivery where access and timing were critical.

A Coordinated Response to a Major Incident

Between 6 and 8 January 2026, firefighting and emergency services battled fast-moving fires affecting areas including Aalwyndal, resulting in widespread evacuations, road disruptions, and significant damage to homes, vehicles and infrastructure.

The incident impact assessment revealed:

  • 10 to more than 30 residential structures damaged or destroyed, including multiple vehicles
  • Severe damage to thatch houses, which were particularly vulnerable
  • An estimated burn area exceeding 18.9 km² (approximately 1,900 hectares)
  • Damage to Eskom infrastructure, causing power outages
  • Extensive loss of fynbos vegetation

While no fatalities were reported, the fires resulted in three firefighters injured, one hospitalised for smoke inhalation and one minor sustaining burn injuries.

Beyond Sponsorship to Operational Impact

In response, CERT-SA, Skitterblink and Changan initiated a structured relief operation focused on both humanitarian assistance and operational support for emergency services.

Skitterblink played a central role in coordinating donated items and managing logistics, while CERT-SA oversaw operational command, transport coordination, distribution oversight and reporting. Changan’s sponsorship of Hunter Diesel bakkies enabled the safe and efficient transportation of personnel, supplies and essential equipment throughout the affected areas.

“The reality in situations like this is that help is measured in minutes and metres,” says Marinus Venter, Country General Manager for Jameel SA. “The ability to move people, equipment, cleaning and restoration tools, and essential relief items can determine how quickly communities return to safe, usable spaces. By sponsoring working vehicles for the response, Changan is directly strengthening operational capacity when and where it counts.”

Relief Operations and Humanitarian Support

The relief effort focused on immediate and practical needs, including:

  • Supporting firefighting personnel and emergency services
  • Providing humanitarian assistance to affected households
  • Delivering essential supplies to vulnerable groups, including local old age homes
  • Assisting with animal welfare needs
  • Ensuring safe, accountable distribution of donated and purchased relief items

Relief operations included the collection, sorting, verification and transportation of donated goods, followed by the distribution to affected households, fire stations, old age homes and other designated relief and distribution points. All distributed items were recorded and verified against inventory documentation to ensure accountability and transparency.

Potable Water: A Critical Priority

Access to potable water was identified as an urgent need during the response. Through the coordinated effort, a total of 865 litres of water was distributed to fire stations, affected communities and old age homes for further redistribution.

Built for the Work That Matters

The Changan Hunter Diesel range, designed for load-carrying and demanding conditions, proved well suited to disaster-response logistics, supporting transport between staging areas, supply points and affected zones under challenging conditions. Throughout the operation, all activities were conducted in coordination with local authorities, with PPE and safety protocols strictly observed. Importantly, no operational injuries were reported among relief volunteers.

Delivering Practical Help, When It’s Needed Most

Strong cooperation between CERT-SA, Skitterblink, Changan and supporting partners ensured relief reached those who needed it, when they needed it most. As Mossel Bay continues its recovery, Changan’s involvement reinforces a simple truth: real support is not symbolic – it’s practical, accountable and it delivers.