Eleven lives have been lost in Durban following the heavy storms that ripped through the city on Monday night.
Many residents particularly in Tongaat which has been identified as the worst hit area, have been left homeless with some being housed in public facilities.
On Tuesday morning, the Breakfast Rush team, along with Al Ansaar Outreach, headed out to Tongaat, to provide necessities and support to those in need.
“We were really not prepared for the damage that we witnessed in Tongaat. Overseas we see tornadoes wreak havoc to wooden structures, however, in our country we saw concrete structures absolutely destroyed, which made us realise the force of the tornado,” said Fathima Karim
“Mangled steel was everywhere as well as uprooted trees that had fallen on houses. It was heart-breaking to see the devastation and loss for so many people, however, I believe we provided a glimmer of hope with whatever we had to offer,” added Karim.
In addition, different civil society organisations, private companies and NGOs came out in large numbers to assist the affected people with food, blankets, clothing and other necessities.
As NGOs, community members, Eskom, eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs try to assist with humanitarian relief and repairs to infrastructure, some of those affected are afraid to leave their damaged homes unguarded.
Meanwhile, KZN Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza, who handed out grocery vouchers to the victims, said the department was profiling the victims to establish the kind of assistance they needed.
Additionally, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said the municipality would fast track its housing project in the area.
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Article written by:
Thabile Duma
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
