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The Gift of the Givers team is currently in Tongaat, where a lady and three children have washed away tragically. Three bodies have been found, and one child is still missing. 

There is substantial destruction in the area. Visits will be conducted in Phoenix and regions where calls of desperation come through. We are awaiting reports from team members in Stanger, South Coast and JOC Disaster Management. The National SAPS and Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Mkhanazi's office communicated with us to provide any support required. 

Since Monday, 11 April, the calls have been coming not from those requesting assistance but amazingly from corporates wanting to support stricken communities. 

Hot meals, blankets, bottled water, warm clothes, sanitary pads and diapers are the initial requirements for low-lying areas that have lost their material possessions. 

Food parcels, school uniforms, and stationery will be provided where the need arises, building material will be considered and repairs to damaged school infrastructure.

With all our troubles, frictions and challenges, this is indeed an incredible country where the spirit of Ubuntu always takes centre stage and reigns supreme. Our teams are busy with on-site assessments to identify areas of severe damage and avoid duplication. 

Community members are also providing feedback. Our criteria are straightforward: roads, bridges, drainage and public infrastructure are a governmental responsibility, though Gift of the Givers will possibly consider schools and health infrastructure for repair. 

Insurance companies should cover private homes and businesses, whilst it's the informal settlements, houses in low lying locations and the non-insured who depend on a compassionate nation to assist them in their hour of distress. 

The need of the hour is enormous with massive damage to roads, highways turned into rivers, shipping containers floating on the N2, retaining walls collapsed with people trapped underneath, cars have been washed away, debris and trees blocking roads, people can't get to work, health facilities had to reduce services, religious institutions, as well as many homes, have been damaged, electrical infrastructure is non-functional aggravating load shedding, streams have become raging rivers, people have lost their lives. 

Those making it to work have to carry extra shoes and socks as they walk through streams to get to transport and negotiate high levels of water on roads.

 

Read more:

• BackaBuddy Impact Village
• Porky's People
• News24
• Maroela Media
  
  

 

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