Cape Town - Concern for those left destitute by the storm surge has led to an appeal to assist organisations working on the ground, bringing relief to affected communities across the Western Cape.
During a media briefing, the Western Cape government’s Disaster Management’s chief director, Colin Deiner, said they would be requesting a disaster classification.
“Once we are able to do the damage assessments, we will then request through the provincial cabinet. Because this has to be classified by the National Disaster Management Centre as a disaster, be it a provincial or local disaster. So we’ll ask for the classification. If we do receive the classification, we will declare a disaster which will enable us to do the extraordinary measures that we need to deal with this incident.”
Deiner said that at this juncture, it was not possible to do any cost assessments related to damages as the priority right now was on safety, and that preventative and rescue capabilities be in place.
In terms of donations, Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said Pick n Pay would be making trolleys available in-store allowing shoppers to deposit goods for donation which would be given to various non-government organisations delivering aid.
The City had previously called for donations in the form of non-perishable foodstuffs, personal hygiene products, nappies, baby formula, blankets and construction materials such as wood and corrugated sheeting with donations to be dropped off at the Goodwood, Lakeside,
Ottery, Roeland Street, Sir Lowry’s Pass, and Strand fire stations.
Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) has called for donations in the form of mattresses, blankets, non-perishable foodstuffs, and 80 litre storage boxes with wheels for the community of Greenpoint Phase 3 in Khayelitsha.
Donations can be dropped off at its offices at 18 Roeland Street, Cape Town (entrance via City Varsity) from 9am to 5pm.
Mustadafin Foundation has requested donations of food, clothing, blankets or cash donations for its emergency response. These can be dropped off at 154 Antelope Street, Bridgetown or corner of Boeschoten and Thornton Road, Athlone.
Disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers (GoTG) has been on the ground since last Friday, with teams across the province providing hot meals and humanitarian assistance to affected communities. Donate online at www. giftofthegivers.org/make-a-difference
Masjied Nurus Salaam, situated on the corner of Salaam and 7th Avenue, Belgravia Estate, Athlone, has appealed for assistance after its carpet was completely soaked as a result of heavy rainfall on Tuesday.
Treasurer Rehaan Mahatey said the public could assist with cash donations towards replacing the carpet or 80sqm paving required at the masjid entrance “as the floor needs to be redone to include stormwater drainage”.
For more information on how to assist, call 061 046 8463 or 072 398 0884.
Cape Argus