Humanitarian relief operations are under way across Cape Town following the severe flooding and storm damage, with completed assessments confirming that 83 184 persons residing in 21 546 dwellings have been affected.
Relief assistance has been rendered across eleven communities, including Vygieskraal, Overcome Heights, Dubai, Khayelitsha, Phillipi East, Ramaphosa informal settlement, Gugulethu, Valhalla Park, Lwandle, Mfuleni, and Kampies, according to Charlotte Powell, the City of Cape Town’s disaster risk management spokesperson.
Several non-governmental organisations have mobilised to provide hot meals and blankets to affected residents, among them Ashraful Aid, Gift of the Givers, Islamic Relief, and Mustadafin.
Critical intervention ongoing
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development have also intervened to provide support.
“The City has designated nine fire stations as public donation drop-off points. Required items include non-perishable foodstuffs, personal hygiene products, nappies, baby formula, and blankets or bedding,” says Powell.
The designated drop-off points are the following fire stations:
• Bellville: Belrail Road
• Goodwood: corner of Hugo Street and Frans Conradie Drive
• Hout Bay: Main Road
• Lakeside: Corner of Main and Approach Road
• Milnerton: Koeberg Road
• Ottery: corner of New Ottery Road and Strandfontein Road
• Roeland Street: CBD
• Sea Point: 4 Kloof Road
• Strand: corner of Broadway Boulevard and George Street
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“While the worst of the adverse conditions are behind us, the recovery efforts will continue for several days or more. We ask communities to please pay special attention to vulnerable households in their areas and to render assistance where possible, or help them access help through the appropriate channels,” says Powell.
