Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the people of Kariega to assess the government’s response to the devastating floods in the Eastern Cape.
The Eastern Cape, as well as parts of KZN and the Western Cape, were hit with floods that resulted in loss of lives, property and possessions. The president visited the site in Kariega and told the people they are not alone as government would step in to assist all those who have been affected during this difficult time, SA Gov News reported.
“The storm has caused great damage in this place. Government must come and help and it will help. Government will come to help all of you. Within 30 days, we will have provided temporary housing for those who have lost their houses. In the meantime, we will have accommodation for those who have been displaced. This is very painful and I am very sorry that we have this situation. But I want to [assure] that government will walk this road with you,” he said.
President @CyrilRamaphosa spoke to members of the media on the sidelines of his visit to Kariega, Eastern Cape, to assess the damage caused by floods affecting a number of municipalities in the area. pic.twitter.com/feQVbeSe0G
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 7, 2024
Ramaphosa said the provincial government and its departments are on hand to help as the extent of the damage is big. He declared the situation a State of Disaster and bemoaned the tragic deaths that occurred. At least eleven people have died and a further 3 000 displaced.
” The sad part is that there are people who have died. We, as government, are going to help those families where people have died and our social welfare department is going to support those families as much as we can and make sure that burials do happen. he said.
He promised to help those who are injured in hospital with good healthcare, and to provide temporary homes to hose who were displaced.
According to SABC News, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality has been declared a disaster zone, with damage estimated at R1 billion. Recovery efforts are ongoing with extensive damage to human settlements, electricity, roads and infrastructure.
The municipality’s Acting Executive Director for Safety and Security, Shadrack Sibiya says the Joint Operation Centre is still active.
“Now mop-up operations have been enabled by this classification. The resources are being collated to start with mop-up, everything seems to be clearing.” Sibiiya said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
