By Oluwaseun Sonde
The South African Government have decided to declare a national state of disaster to respond to catastrophic flooding that damaged Communities along the eastern coast of the country.
The President, Cyril Ramaphosa who disclosed this while addressing the nation on Monday, said nearly 4,000 homes completely destroyed, 8,300 homes partially damaged with estimation that over 40,000 people displaced by these floods.
According to him, "On the 11th and 12th of April, parts of KwaZulu-Natal KZN received between 200 and 400 mm of rainfall in a 24 hour period. To date, a total of 443 people are known to have lost their lives.
"Approximately 48 people are missing or unaccounted for. On the other side of the country, community of Langa is counting the cost of a devastating fire, which destroyed about 300 homes and displaced around 1,000 people".
Ramaphosa added that the nation is united in grief. "We are a nation united in our determination to assist those who have lost their homes and
possessions, who are in desperate need of food, water and shelter."
"The flooding has disrupted fuel and food supplies. Areas located close to rivers and waterways particularly informal settlements were severely affected and many dwellings were swept away", the President said.
He noted that this is a humanitarian disaster that calls for a massive and urgent relief effort. "The lives, health and well-being of thousands of people are still at risk. The floods have caused great economic and social damage."
Ramaphosa stated that the declaration of national state of disaster is to ensure an effective response across all spheres of government to the extreme weather events that have occurred in several parts of the country.
"The primary responsibility to coordinate and manage the disaster is assigned to the national sphere of government, working closely together with provincial governments and municipalities.
"It enables the mobilisation of more resources, capabilities and technical expertise in providing relief, recovery and rehabilitation to affected communities", he said.
The President added that his Government will be responding to this disaster in three phases. "First, we will focus on immediate humanitarian relief, ensuring that all affected persons are safe
and their basic needs are met.
"Second, we will focus on stabilisation and recovery, rehousing people who have lost homes and restoring the provision of services. And thirdly, we will focus on reconstruction and rebuilding."
Added that "South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force have been leading search and rescue efforts, with a total of 247 rescue operations to date."
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