The Minister of Social Development in the Western Cape, Albert Fritz, conveys his deepest sympathies to those who have been displaced due to a fire that broke out on Thursday 25 October in the Overcome Heights informal settlement in Lavender Hills.
The Provincial Department of Social Development’s (DSD) Metro South region was notified by the Social Relief program of the fire. Four (4) of DSD’s onsite team members completed needs assessments to:
· Render psycho-social support services and welfare services;
· Monitor the availability of immediate temporary relief including food and non-food material assistance such as monitoring the donation coordination process;
· Provide assistance to the City of Cape Town (CoCT) to register the affected; and
· Participate in the onsite Joint Operating Center (JOC) for Recovery and Response interventions.
Those who have been displaced are experiencing incredible need. There is an articulated need for donations including non-perishable food items such as milk, oats and sugar, blankets, toiletries, kimbis for babies, and green bags for packaging of items.
Donations can be dropped off at the CoCT Fire station in Ottery, the Lakeside Fire Station (drop-offs for Overcome Heights only) and at Philisa Abafazi Bethu, either at 91 Grindal Avenue, Lavender Hill (during the week) or at 69 Hillary Drive; Southern Hills; Lavender Hill (weekend drop-offs only).
MEC Fritz said, “I commend the CoCT which has deployed its Disaster and Risk Management Center and notified all relevant disaster relief multi-partners across the 3 spheres of government. The City has established an onsite JOC to coordinate all disaster relief responses, and confirmed that a total of 308 homes were destroyed in the devastating blaze, displacing approximately 824 people. Site clearing is underway and there is a strong safety and security presence.”
MEC Fritz further said, “While I call on all residents to support those affected where they can; I further want to commend the NPOs and individuals who have supported DSD with onsite assistance, including Philisa Abafazi Bethu, Where Dreams Come True, the Gift of the Givers, the Red Cross and Shoprite mobile.”
The Ministry of Social Development in the Western Cape will continue to support the most vulnerable in our society by providing disaster relief and counselling to those affected by the fire season.
All services and support provided during the Recovery Phase directly contribute to the self-dependency and improved quality of life of the affected.
Cayla Ann Tomás Murray
Spokesperson for Minister Albert Fritz
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 064 121 7959
Email: Cayla.mu@gmail.com