A humanitarian organisation has distributed aid to those affected by floods in the Northern Cape. At the same time, staff at Gift of the Givers have also been placed on standby as inclement weather is bound for the Southern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State provinces, over the next few days.

A humanitarian organisation has distributed aid to those affected by floods

According to Dr Imtiaz Sooliman from Gift of the Givers, they’ve distributed aid to hundreds of families affected by the recent heavy downpour. He added, though, that many others have not yet been reached. Sooliman says this is due to inaccessible roads and impassable terrain. They have, however, secured the help of the SANDF. The Defence Force will provide a helicopter and air support, in order for them to reach areas where communities have been completely cut off from civilisation.

Gift of the Givers – Aid delivered to Northern Cape

Following a weather Level 6-10 warning for the Southern and Eastern Cape from the SA Weather Service, Gift of the Givers has put teams on standby in the region. Personnel are in place in Buffalo City, Amathole District Municipality, Amahlathi District Municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, Koukamma and Kouga Municipality. They are working in association with the Local Municipality, Disaster Management, COGTA, SAPS, SANDF and donors. The organisation has also arranged warehouses and supplies, with additional aid en route from their Logistics Centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Gift of the Givers Teams on standby for Southern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State

Sooliman says municipalities are preparing community halls, buses and other vehicles to move families to safety rapidly in the event the expected torrential rain increases the risk of severe destruction, flooding and displacement of vulnerable communities, including drownings. He says their Gift of the Givers Search and Rescue Teams have been put on high alert. The SAPS have offered us a helicopter, their vehicles, trucks and warehouse space for an effective, rapid intervention.

In the Northern Cape

According to a media statement, localised flooding in the Kuruman area in the Northern Cape has cut off 1980 families across 82 islands. GOTG says its teams are currently on site delivering aid to areas accessible by 4×4 vehicles. Dr Sooliman has added that many roads remain inaccessible. He says this is significantly hindering humanitarian operations. He says in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, 400 families have been assisted in the areas of Karos and Leerkrantz near Upington. At the same time, their staff are coordinating response efforts with the Northern Cape Department of COGTA, Kuruman Disaster Management and the South African Police Service.

Regarding the situation in the Free State

Dr Sooliman says in the Free State, flash floods have inundated 3405 homes in Thabong, within Matjhabeng Local Municipality in Welkom. He says close to 12,000 people have been affected. Their teams will also assist them. He says there are collection points, which will be set up (if necessary) at Vincent Park Mall (East London), NMB Business Chamber and the Boardwalk Mall (Gqeberha), Gateway Mall (Durban), Cavendish Square (Cape Town) and The Zone Rosebank (Johannesburg). This will aid a national effort to assist fellow South Africans in dire need.