Emergency teams mobilise to assist residents after Imizamo Yethu fire

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) officials will conduct an assessment in Imizamo Yethu this morning following an overnight fire that left numerous residents affected.

The assessment will determine the number of structures destroyed and people impacted, with findings to be submitted to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development for further assistance.

City departments will also be activated to assess and repair any damage to municipal infrastructure, clear fire debris, and coordinate rebuilding efforts for affected residents. Humanitarian relief partners will be mobilised to provide immediate assistance.

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Sonica Lategan said the City’s response would focus on emergency relief as well as recovery support.

Meanwhile, Gift of the Givers has activated teams following multiple informal settlement fires across the Western Cape since the early hours of Friday morning.

In Imizamo Yethu, calls were received from community leaders and affected residents after a fire destroyed a number of structures, leaving close to 200 people homeless. Gift of the Givers teams are currently on the ground conducting assessments.

At the same time, the organisation was alerted by the Drakenstein Disaster Management Centre to a second fire within a week at the Mbokweni Informal Settlement, where teams remain on site to determine the exact number of people affected.

In addition, Gift of the Givers teams are en route to an active fire in Vygieskraal, where backyard dwelling structures are currently alight.

Gift of the Givers said it will render immediate humanitarian assistance at all three affected fire sites.

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Cape Argus