The ACDP was alarmed to hear of the plight of people in KleinZee, Northern Cape brought upon by flooding. We were informed of the crisis facing especially the poor, by a spiritual leader who said people are in serious need of food and water.
We are pleased to hear that a Social Relief of Distress Grant is to be made available for two months to vulnerable individuals and families, in cash. Nevertheless, this will only come into effect after applications have been processed.
Significant rain resulted in damaged roads and communities cut off from national roads, and as with most disasters of this kind, it is the poor and vulnerable that are most negatively affected.
We received unconfirmed reports that there are people missing, and we send our prayers to the families and loved ones who are praying they will be found.
The ACDP contacted the Department of Social Development (DSD) in the Northern Cape who say a crisis meeting was held yesterday to ascertain the scale of the crisis caused by the flood. Provincial DSD is going to distribute food and COGTA (the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) is leading the combined effort to provide disaster relief to the affected areas.
Community leaders and the Police in KleinZee confirmed to us the areas most affected by food and water shortages. There is a report that water infrastructure was damaged in one area which forced the community to fetch water from a river. This is unhygienic after a flood and can lead to illness.
We notified DSD in the province and asked them to add water to their relief packages for those people affected, particularly in the informal settlement Bantekoe, where people are in urgent need of food relief.
Shops have run out of food with reports of exorbitant price hikes on essential items.
The ACDP is setting up a Relief Fund and sent out a letter to our support base, for us to send care packages to desperate families in need. The public can contribute by making donations to the ACDP Relief Fund for KleinZee.
An ACDP team plans to visit the region this week and are putting together care packages that will be taken to those in need.
Donations can be made to the Standard Bank, Account 070289859, stating the reference: “KleinZee Relief Fund”.
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