Flood victims at the Harare informal settlement in Khayelitsha, Cape Town are still trying to pick up the pieces, following the recent downpours that had lashed the area.
Around 800 people had been temporarily relocated to local shelters after their homes were flooded.
And about 200 are still living there.
Last week, government began handing over building kits.
Now, the rebuilding begins.
Ward 99 councillor, Lonwabo Mqina, says they’re currently in need of carpenters to assist those who are yet to build their homes.
“In fact, the majority of the people affected are women with children who are not skilled in so far as construction is concerned. So they require assistance from men who possess those skills. The people (victims of flooding), would ask for assistance from others who are done building their houses”.
Well, government has, again, committed to a faster and better response to disasters.
Calls have been made by Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, for a more streamlined approach by all three spheres.
The NGO is urging government to have a co-coordinated and well-structured body that will be able to respond rapidly to the needs of people affected by disasters.
Several towns in the Western Cape were negatively affected by the recent heavy downpours.
The Cape has since been declared a provincial disaster.
Cooperative Governance Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says government is committed to this.
Hlabisa says he’s approaching the National Treasury to establish a disaster grant that will be easily available for affected provinces.
“So when a disaster strikes, quickly we press that button, follow all procurement processes to ensure that there’s no corruption, there’s no duplication, while we mobilise the departments. But quickly a disaster grant has already responded.”
Picture: Lonwabo Mqina
