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Eastern Cape Floods
The Eastern Cape Province has been hit hard by devastating floods, particularly in the OR Tambo and Amathole Districts, leaving communities reeling from loss and destruction. As of Friday, the official death toll stands at 103, including 32 school-going children, making it one of the region’s deadliest disasters in recent years. The provincial government has stepped up its response, coordinating disaster relief and recovery efforts to support over 6,800 affected households and address widespread infrastructure damage estimated at R5.04 billion. Here’s a detailed look at the crisis, the government’s actions, and the ongoing relief efforts.
Death Toll and Identification Efforts
The floods have claimed 103 lives across multiple districts, with OR Tambo District reporting the highest number of fatalities at 79. Amathole District follows with 10 deaths, Alfred Nzo and Chris Hani Districts each with 5, Joe Gqabi with 2, and Sarah Baartman District with 2. The victims include 50 men and 53 women, with 63 adults and 40 children among the deceased. The loss of 32 school-going children has struck an especially tragic chord in the province.
Identification Progress: Of the 103 bodies recovered, 98 have been identified and collected by families, while 5 remain unidentified.
Death Registration: The Department of Home Affairs has registered 92 of the 103 deaths and is working to process the rest.
Ongoing Searches: Emergency teams continue search and recovery efforts to locate any additional victims.
Provincial Government’s Response
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has mobilized a robust response to tackle the crisis. A multidisciplinary team, led by the Office of the Premier and supported by departments like Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Human Settlements, Health, Home Affairs, and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), has been active since the disaster began. Key initiatives include:
Joint Operations Centre (JOC): Activated to streamline disaster response and coordinate efforts across agencies.
Donations Management Team: Oversees humanitarian aid, ensuring food, sanitary items, and household essentials reach those in need while maintaining safety and welfare in temporary shelters.
COGTA MEC Zolile Williams recently visited eight Community Care Centres (CCCs) in the OR Tambo District to assess conditions and hear from displaced residents. Accompanied by local mayors, he addressed community concerns about housing, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring dignity and stability.
Housing Crisis and Resettlement Plans
Floodwaters have ravaged over 6,800 households, displacing 4,724 people and partially damaging 2,145 homes. The provincial government is prioritizing resettlement and housing solutions:
Temporary Residential Units (TRUs): Plans are underway to build 1,230 TRUs, with suitable land identified in King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) and Mnquma municipalities. The province has allocated R120 million to kickstart construction, though an additional R461 million is needed.
Home Verification: Assessments of damaged homes are ongoing in Mnquma and OR Tambo Districts (completed in Joe Gqabi), determining which families need temporary or permanent housing. This process also identifies households in flood-prone areas requiring permanent relocation.
Community members have expressed gratitude for the support but emphasized the need for durable, long-term housing solutions beyond temporary shelters.
Infrastructure Damage and Repair Costs
The floods have wreaked havoc on the province’s infrastructure, with significant impacts on education, healthcare, and transportation:
Schools: 235 damaged, disrupting education for thousands of students.
Health Facilities: 69 affected, straining medical services.
Roads and Bridges: 149 roads and 91 bridges damaged, complicating access and relief efforts.
The estimated cost to repair this widespread damage is R5.04 billion, a figure that highlights the long road to recovery ahead.
Relief Efforts and Community Support
The provincial government has praised the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in providing humanitarian aid:
Key Donors: The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and Mercedes-Benz have delivered substantial donations of food, clothing, and essentials. Additional support has come from Shoprite, Meals on Wheels, the AbaThembu Kingdom, and local community contributors.
Psychosocial Support: 1,442 individuals have received counseling, and 760 families have been aided with SASSA food vouchers.
Document Replacement: The Department of Home Affairs has processed 989 smart ID applications and 96 birth certificates for those who lost vital documents.
Burial support has also been a focus, with 62 funerals completed and 9 more planned for this weekend. The South African Council of Churches is providing spiritual healing to grieving families.
A Path to Recovery
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, civil society, and private partners in responding to this humanitarian crisis. MEC Williams stated, “We remain committed to ensuring that displaced families are cared for with dignity and that donations are managed transparently. The province thanks all donors.”
As search and recovery efforts continue, the government has assured affected communities that comprehensive support—spanning shelter, food, healthcare, and emotional care—will remain in place until stability is restored. The resilience of Eastern Cape residents, coupled with a united relief effort, offers hope amid the devastation.
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