Gift of the Givers calls on govt to relook at legislation for disaster relief funds
Its call comes amid the torrential weather conditions in Western Cape, leaving a trail of destruction in its path and several communities reeling since the weekend.
Hundreds of people queued at the Nomzamo community hall in Western Cape for basic essentials, provided by Gift of the Givers on 8 April 2024. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - Humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers, called on government to relook at legislation that allowed its various departments to access and employ disaster funds.
Several communities in Western Cape are reeling after heavy rains and gale-force winds left a trail of destruction since the weekend.
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Roofs have been blown off, roads flooded, and trees uprooted in some areas.
Gift of the Givers' Ali Sablay said their teams responded to the 20 areas requesting help without government's assistance.
He thanked ordinary South Africans for their continued support.
"Government should be making a disaster relief fund available, so if a disaster occurs, within 24 hours those people can be assisted, not a week or two weeks later," Sablay said.
"We're experiencing it now where people must be evacuated and put in community halls, but what happens from there? They must be fed, there must be some sort of personal hygiene items, etc - there's no use putting them in halls, and they're just being left there."