DSD provides support to fire victims | Western Cape Government

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DSD provides support to fire victims

4 January 2021

The Western Cape is currently experiencing its annual fire season, leaving many people homeless and in need of support such as shelter, food and clothing.

The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez, accompanied the National Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, on Monday, 04 January 2021, to visit almost 4 000 displaced residents of the Masiphumelele Informal Settlement in the Cape Town Metro, who lost their homes and personal belongings when their shacks caught fire.

On Tuesday, 05 January 2021, both the National and Provincial Ministers’ for Social Development will visit residents in Khayelitsha, that suffered a similar fate.

Minister Fernandez said, "Albeit that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) remains the lead agency charged with social support to the poor in cases of a disaster as legislated by Chapter 3 of the Social Assistance Act, the provincial Department of Social Development also ensured that they identified the vulnerable groups such as older persons, persons with disabilities, as well as children in need and coordinated the various relief efforts."

" DSD social workers and community development practitioners have visited all affected sites daily, to provide psycho-social support to the affected communities.

The provincial DSD with the support of several Humanitarian Relief Organisations provides the necessary support that includes counselling and most importantly provision of Social Relief of Distress for affected households,” added Minister Fernandez.

Following the fires that ravaged the community of Masiphumelele on Friday, 18 December 2020, and various other communities, such as Citrusdal in the West Coast, Hanover Park and Khayelitsha in the Cape Town Metro, the provincial DSD moved into affected areas and was on standby to provide the necessary psycho-social support to the victims.

Several humanitarian relief organisations have provided support in the form of food, dignity packs, dry food, blankets vanity packs, fruit and vegetables, etc.

“I wish to particularly thank Living Hope in Kommetjie who coordinated all of the donations for the Masiphumelele victims as well as the people of the Western Cape who heeded the call for assistance and generously donated essential goods to the affected communities, showcasing their caring spirit.

“We all share a concern for the ongoing pandemic plaguing our society. However, all hope is not lost when we all work together! As a Department, we remain cognizant of the need to improve this critical situation and all efforts will continue to be directed at restoring the hope and dignity of all the people who we serve,” concluded Minister Fernandez.

For more information about DSD services, please contact 0800 220 250 or refer to the Western Cape Department’s Website.

 

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