Parts of KZN classified disaster areas after recent floods
The eThekwini Metro was named among several disaster areas in the province.
SEVERAL flood-stricken parts of KwaZulu-Natal have been classified as disaster areas by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) minister, Thembi Nkadimeng.
According to Nkadimeng, the move will enable government to access additional funding from provincial and national departments to start repairs as soon as possible.
Disaster areas include the Ilembe, Ugu and uMzinyathi municipalities and the eThekwini Metro, among others.
Heavy rains have ravaged KwaZulu-Natal since mid-December, spilling over to the new year.
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The minister was accompanied by deputy minister Parks Tau and KZN CoGTA MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi.
The leaders engaged various stakeholders from across all sectors of society representing a wide range of communities.
“The engagements and the assessment showed the devastation caused by flooding, especially on lives and livelihoods, which has resulted in extensive damages to properties and critical infrastructure collapse, leaving affected families homeless.”
The department believes that the impact of natural disasters is made worse by the ongoing impact of climate change, which has brought unprecedented weather patterns.
“The minister emphasised the need for all role-players, including communities, to ensure better-integrated planning to mitigate the impact of such adverse natural disasters. She made it clear that disaster risk reduction and adaptability are the only way to reduce the impact of climate change,” MEC Sithole-Moloi said.
Also read: KZN experiencing effects of global warning, warns premier
Nkadimeng also took the time to thank communities who assisted those who were displaced by floods.
“The selfless and compassionate actions by ordinary members of our communities and civil society organisations in support of humanitarian aid efforts, including search and rescue, as well as search and recovery, symbolises the true meaning of a caring nation which South Africa is. We are immensely grateful to everyone for pulling together and showing Ubuntu,” Nkadimeng said.
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