CAPE TOWN – Much needed relief has begun pouring in for the affected families in Masiphumelele where over 300 homes were destroyed.
Disaster recovery operations are in full swing in Masiphumelele following Tuesday’s blaze that ravaged the area on Tuesday 20 January.
That afternoon, at 15:15, the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to reports of homes and vegetation burning in the informal settlement.
Several fire stations arrived on the scene as well as 40 ground-crew members and three helicopters for aerial support.
The fire was contained four hours later at 19:30.
So far there are 363 shacks that been damaged, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRM) confirmed.
DRM are working alongside the Informal Settlements Management Branch, who has begun registering all persons affected by the blaze.
We’ve also activated the Solid Waste Department to clear the fire site so that rebuilding efforts can get underway.
Other relevant City services have been called in to check for damage to water, sanitation and electricity infrastructure,” said DRM spokesperson, Charlotte Powell.
After assessing the fire damage, the DRM’s infrastructure assessment found that water and sanitation infrastructure (standpipes, toilets etc.) were still intact.
“There was damage to electricity infrastructure – in particular overhead cables; but the area has been made safe by technicians,” she added.
The clearing of fire debris is being handled by Solid Waste.
Gift of the Givers and non-governmental organisation, Living Hope (NGO) are assisting affected families, Powell said.
Living Hope are a multi-faceted organisation that mobilises hundreds of volunteers per year to serve locals through responsive programmes in under-resourced, under-served communities.
Current estimates suggest that the total number of displaced fire victims are 1124, said Candice Thomas, a media liason with the organisation.
This includes: 302 young boys and girls as well as 50 infants.
“There has been some amazing donations, we are so incredibly grateful for the response from the greater community. So far there have been up to 382 households impacted,” she said.
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