Cape Town - The City is once again appealing for the devolution of emergency funding following a number of fires at informal settlements that left hundreds of families displaced this festive season.
Mayco member for human settlements, Carl Pophaim, appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Minister of Human Settlements, Thembisile Simelane, to devolve the Emergency Housing Grant to the City of Cape Town.
This was to better manage and respond to issues affecting emergency housing requirements as quickly as possible, typically within 24 hours.
“I am appealing to President Ramaphosa and Minister Simelane to urgently devolve the Emergency Housing Grant to the City of Cape Town so we can assist the fire-affected residents in Dunoon, Nomzamo in the Strand, Masiphumelele and Langa as quickly as possible,” Pophaim said.
In Masiphumelele, 130 structures were destroyed, in Nomzamo 64, Dunoon 120, and Langa 150.
“The City’s Human Settlements Directorate has provided the National Human Settlements Department with the data of those affected residents thus far for their urgent assistance and we are appealing to the National Department to act swiftly so that those affected are assisted.
“Our teams will remain on the various affected sites across the city to assist the impacted residents, where it is feasible to do so. We will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
The City also thanked disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers (GoTG) and other relief agencies for providing soft relief to the fire affected residents.
GoTG project manager, Ali Sablay, said the organisation has experienced a busy fire season.
“We didn't anticipate such a big need for a response, judging from previous years.
“We’ve done 12 fires in ten days, running the largest humanitarian operation in these informal settlements.
“At all 12 sites, we’ve provided the communities with hot meals, clean drinking water, personal hygiene care item packs, baby care packs, blankets, mattresses. There has been a need for clothing as well.”
Sablay said building kits are anticipated to be distributed by the Department of Human Settlements to the affected families.
“Once their kits are up and they’re back into their homes, we’ll be providing each family with a food hamper, just to give them that kickstart until they are paid their government grants or social aid to assist them again.”