DRMC disburses aid to flood affected community

The handover of goods at the Klipfontein Mission Station in Ward 35 was made possible through various donation drives that got under way in the months before winter.

The handover of goods included food parcels, blankets, and mattresses to 178 households in the Klipfontein Mission Station area.

The residents were impacted by the severe weather spells experienced in July. The City’s request to SASSA for humanitarian relief is still pending.

‘We indicated earlier this year that the need for humanitarian aid is growing, due to increased disasters linked to severe weather. This winter has proven no different, and we are fielding continuous calls from communities for the decentralisation of disaster relief so that help can reach those in need sooner. While that is outside the City’s control, we are able to facilitate donations in support of NGOs or directly to affected communities, as has been the case here, and we thank our staff, but also the public and the private sector for heeding the call,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The food items donated to residents of Klipfontein Mission were sourced through the CANN donation drive – an initiative where staff in the Safety and Security Directorate donated non-perishable items, while the mattresses and blankets were purchased using a portion of a R250 000 donation made by Philip Morris International.

Between April and June this year, the DRMC responded to 681 residential fire incidents that affected nearly 3 500 persons.

They also responded to 282 weather-related incidents that impacted in excess of 12 300 structures and 28 000 persons.

‘These numbers are once again staggering, and a reminder of the great need in so many of our communities. The City renews its appeal to the public and businesses to continue supporting disaster relief efforts, whether it be a local NGO or the City’s donation drive,’ said Committee Chairperson, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.

The City’s donation drop-off points are the following fire stations: Constantia, Goodwood, Hout Bay, Lakeside, Roeland Street, Strand and Wynberg.

Donors can also email Disaster.Donations@capetown.gov.za for collection.

Anyone wishing to assist can donate non-perishable food items like rice, maize meal, tinned fish, tinned beans and baby formula, as well as personal hygiene items.