W. Cape Launches Major Humanitarian Campaign After Knysna Fires & Storm
Western Cape Cabinet Ministers have launched an urgent humanitarian effort in the wake of the devastating fires and storms in the Eden District of the Southern Cape, which left at least nine people dead, including a 3-year-old child. Almost 10 000 residents were displaced in the Eden district as fires swept through approximately 20 suburbs of Knysna and […]
Western Cape Cabinet Ministers have launched an urgent humanitarian effort in the wake of the devastating fires and storms in the Eden District of the Southern Cape, which left at least nine people dead, including a 3-year-old child.
Almost 10 000 residents were displaced in the Eden district as fires swept through approximately 20 suburbs of Knysna and surrounds, on Wednesday June 7 and today, Thursday June 8.
At least 300 structures have been totally destroyed, with many more still in danger.
Local Government Minister Anton Bredell announced yesterday that tragically “the body of a three-year-old child has been found in the suburb of Welbedacht, bringing the total confirmed casualties related to the disaster in the province to nine.” She was found by her father on Thursday morning.
The WCG’s provincial Ministers and all Western Cape Government Departments have now escalated the humanitarian support, in partnership with a wide range of key partners across society including DHL.
In Cape Town, all City of Cape Town fire stations have been declared as “Official Drop-off Points” for donated goods.
The international logistics company DHL has volunteered to deliver all donated goods to the Joint Operations Centre in Knysna, with a full logistics operation.
The donated resources will be distributed on the ground by teams working closely with the victims in the affected areas.
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has visited the Eden District, accompanied by Minister of Economic Development, Agriculture and Tourism Alan Winde, Transport and Public Works Minister Donald Grant and Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo.
DHL spokeswoman Megan Roper, Head of Marketing, DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa, said: “DHL, as a the market leader in logistics, will be providing critical disaster support to the Garden Route area in the Western Cape during their time of need. Our team of logistics professionals will be coordinating the collection and transport of supplies to critical areas via air and road freight.”
Minister Bredell reported 69 schools had been damaged.
MEC Madikizela said: “I am hopeful that we will not lose any more lives. Next, we will ensure that all those who have been displaced can be resettled after the storm is over. We will be working as MECs, in partnership with our local municipalities, to see how we can start to rebuild in the aftermath to this crisis.”
MEC Meyer said: “This is a very big crisis and disaster. Under Section 25 of the Provincial Finance Management Act, we may use funds in emergency situations. Given the scale and nature of this disaster I am pleased to announce I will invoke this Act, to release funds for this crisis.
“We are assessing the scale of the situation and I will put proposals to the Western Cape Cabinet after we have seen the full scale of the situation.
“I also call on the international diplomatic community, to request donations to our disaster centres,” Meyer urged.
MEC Marais praised the Disaster Management and emergency services’ teams for their tireless efforts, since the storm began in Cape Town on the night of Tuesday, June 6.
Cape Storm update, in the City of Cape Town:
City of Cape Town Metro Municipality: Approximately 827 Informal settlement structures were damaged due to flooding and roofs blown off.
Humanitarian relief as been offered to 2 502 people across the Metro. A number of trees were uprooted in the Metro. Widespread electrical outages reported across the Metro are being assessed.
Cape Storm humanitarian support:
The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Management department continues to direct available resources to those in need. Efforts also continue in neighbouring municipal areas hit by the storm.