After catastrophic floods hit the coastal regions of the KwaZulu-Natal province, families are still struggling to piece their lives back together. ForAfrika and partners worked together to bring some relief to those worst affected by the disaster.
“The floods ruined everything; mounds of mud came into our homes and the water filled the house and ruined all our possessions and the food that we had to eat, explains 64-year-old Judy.
In April, parts of the province received between 200 and 400mm of rain within a 24-hour period, which caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, roads and bridges. Water, electricity, rail and telecommunications infrastructure was also damaged. Those living in informal settlements, located close to rivers and waterways, were left reeling with more than 40,000 people displaced.
We bought, packed and distributed a total of 2,500 emergency relief hampers that reached Judy and a further 17,000 individuals. These family hampers contained essential food items, drinking water, tarpaulins and blankets.
In all this, children were not forgotten and the Lego Foundation supplied 7,260 play packs in order to assist daycare centres recover from their losses.
“What makes me glad is that we got some help with food to a point where I am not lacking and I am able to cook and eat. I am also grateful for the blankets and the parcels that are given to us,” said Judy.
“Because of their help we will go to bed with full stomachs, blankets on our backs and with some warmth, thank you,” said Smangele Gumede.
Nelisiwe Makhubu is Community Development Officer in South Africa
