Five hundred community members had to be evacuated due to flooding in various predominantly informal settlements.
The rain was desperately needed in Gqeberha but missed the catchment areas and severely affected predominantly informal settlements in Nelson Mandela Bay.
According to Ali Sablay, Gift of the Givers operation manager, five hundred community members had to be evacuated and housed in a church in Motherwell.
“Gift of the Givers received calls from disaster management, counsellors and community members to assist the communities whose homes and possessions have been substantially affected,” Sablay said.
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Urgent needs include mattresses, blankets, hot meals, sanitary pads, diapers, bottled water and hygiene packs. Food parcels, stationery, uniforms and building material will have to follow.
“Gift of the Givers teams from East London are on the way with supplies to assist. Hot meals have been ordered and people will be fed soon.
“Spar in Gqeberha has come forward with contributions to Gift of the Givers. Gqeberha Mayor, Retief Odendaal, has thanked us in advance for our intended intervention.”
The NMB disaster risk management teams had to evacuate community members from the following areas:
1. Jagtvlakte (behind Booysen Park) – 1002. Red Location – 953. Ward 54 (Motherwell) – 3004. Walmer area 2 – awaiting numbers5. Missionvale – awaiting numbers 6. Clearly Park Informal Settlement – 50 7. Daku Hall – 65