CoCT informal settlement fires could’ve been worse, says Gift of the Givers
It said its teams are still providing essentials to people in areas affected by informal settlements fires in the past two weeks.
Gift of the Givers teams assisting the aftermath of a fire that broke out Philippi’s Kosovo informal settlement fire. Picture: Facebook/GiftoftheGivers
CAPE TOWN - Humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers says while fires in informal settlements have claimed the lives of two people so far, it could have been worse.
According to the organisation, teams have been providing essentials to people in areas affected by informal settlement fires in the past two weeks.
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Hot meals, toiletries, and blankets are just some of what they’re providing.
Nomzamo, Masiphumelele, Dunoon, Kosovo in Philippi and Joe Slovo have been identified as the areas mainly affected after more than 400 structures were razed to the ground.
Organisation spokesperson, Ali Sablay said thousands of people have been left without shelter.
"On Boxing [Day] evening, when we responded to the Joe Slovo fires - the biggest one of the season - when we got on-site, to see how many people were intoxicated, they were moving, some of them were running back into the fire site. it was quite sad. Alcohol plays a big role."