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JOHANNESBURG – Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane is set to visit flood-stricken communities in the Eastern Cape this week to assess the damage and monitor the support being provided to victims of the recent devastating floods.
The visit, scheduled for Tuesday, comes in the wake of severe storms that swept through the province last week, bringing torrential rains and gale-force winds that left a trail of destruction in their path. The Human Settlements Minister will spend three days in the region, meeting with local officials and inspecting the affected areas to evaluate the progress of ongoing relief efforts.
As the Human Settlements Minister, Simelane’s role in disaster response is critical. She will be engaging directly with provincial and municipal leadership in the Eastern Cape to coordinate a comprehensive response. This includes reviewing the emergency housing interventions already deployed and identifying any gaps that need urgent attention.
According to reports from the Eastern Cape provincial government, the floods have claimed 90 lives so far. Post-mortems have been completed on 80 of the deceased, and their remains have been returned to their families for burial. The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local communities, with nearly 3,000 households affected and more than 1,000 homes and buildings either partially damaged or completely destroyed.
Government Intervention Through Human Settlements Department
The Department of Human Settlements plays a pivotal role during natural disasters by ensuring that displaced individuals and families receive temporary shelter and assistance to rebuild their lives. The Human Settlements Minister will be closely evaluating the department’s current interventions in the Eastern Cape and ensuring that those in need are not left behind.
Tsekiso Machike, spokesperson for the Human Settlements Minister, confirmed the department’s immediate response measures. “During disasters, the Department of Human Settlements can assist victims by providing temporary residential units, building material, temporary emergency accommodation, and essential repairs,” said Machike.
These emergency housing solutions are vital in preventing secondary humanitarian crises, such as disease outbreaks or displacement-related trauma, that often follow major natural disasters.
Minister Simelane’s itinerary includes high-level meetings with both the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and local municipalities. These engagements are aimed at fostering collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and effective disaster response. Key issues to be discussed include the pace of rebuilding, the provision of emergency housing, and the restoration of infrastructure in hard-hit communities around Mthatha and surrounding areas.
The Human Settlements Minister will also be conducting on-the-ground assessments, visiting temporary shelter sites and speaking directly with flood victims to understand their immediate and long-term needs. These interactions are crucial for informing the department’s future strategy in disaster-prone areas.
As climate-related disasters become more frequent and intense, the role of the Human Settlements Minister and the department is increasingly vital in building community resilience. The Eastern Cape floods underscore the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and climate-resilient housing infrastructure.
The Human Settlements Minister is expected to use the insights gained during her visit to strengthen the department’s national disaster response frameworks. There is also a growing emphasis on working with local governments to ensure that at-risk communities are better protected against future disasters through more sustainable housing developments and early-warning systems.
While the initial emergency response has been swift, rebuilding lives and communities will take months, if not years. The Human Settlements Minister has reiterated the government’s commitment to standing with the affected communities throughout this process. The department is currently deploying resources to provide temporary shelter to those who lost their homes and will work on facilitating access to rebuilding materials and longer-term housing support.
As her visit unfolds, Minister Simelane is expected to provide updates on new relief measures and announce additional support where needed. The ministry is also encouraging NGOs, private sector partners, and civil society to play a role in augmenting government efforts.
Human Settlements Minister, Eastern Cape floods, disaster relief, temporary housing, Thembi Simelane, flood victims, government response, emergency shelter, Department of Human Settlements, Mthatha floods
Source- EWN