Action team set up to assist residents after storm wrecks town
A COLLABORATIVE action team has been established to assist the devastated residents of Gong-gong near Barkly West who suffered extensive damage to their homes during a heavy rainstorm on March 4.
The Northern Cape MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Bentley Vass, along with the MEC for Social Development, Nontobeko Vilakazi, district and local municipality officials, and the Red Cross, visited the area to assess the extent of the damage.
Vass conceded that the situation in the area is dire and that urgent intervention is required to assist those affected.
“The situation is bad. We are busy with assessments to get a sense of all the damages suffered. This unfortunate event has left the community devastated, with destroyed housing structures and damaged furniture. We will devise suitable solutions and ensure effective assistance for the affected community,” said Vass.
“MEC Vilakazi has promptly activated a soup kitchen that will be stocked with sufficient food supplies to cater to more people. Furthermore, the department will provide mattresses and blankets to those who have sought refuge at local churches. The government is committed to providing continuous support to the affected families and will also explore avenues to assist schoolchildren who have lost their uniforms in this disaster.
“Our focus remains on implementing effective measures to mitigate the impact of the thunderstorm and strong winds on the affected communities.”
Vass added that they will be working around the clock to assist the affected residents and to make sure that they give the necessary support to those in need.