“It’s really tragic, people losing their homes days before Christmas.”

These are the words of Living Hope members, who are working closely with the families affected by the latest fire in Masiphumelele.

The fire started in the informal settlement during the early morning hours of Monday morning, destroying just over 100 structures.

As the embers were dying, Living Hope's Community Response and Community Based Healthcare Services teams were already on the ground, providing immediate support to those affected and co-ordinating emergency supplies for residents impacted by the fire.

The City’s Fire and Rescue teams try to enter a structure that caught alight.

Victor Thomas of Living Hope, was one of those who responded.

“Our team first does an assessment, working with the community and community leadership structures to make sure the right people get the right kind of relief,” Mr Thomas, appealing to the public to come forward with donations.

The Living Hope Community Response team, which is a Faith-based non-profit organisation, helps with immediate post-disaster relief efforts, providing essential supplies like waterproof containers, clothing, bedding, food, hygiene products, baby items, and cooking pots.

“These resources are vital for restoring hope and dignity during tough times,” Mr Thomas said.

In the past year, the team has provided relief after 71 fire incidents and delivered extensive flood relief to 1 312 households affected by water damage. Additionally, their Cooking Mamas programme has served 274 804 hot and nutritious meals.

“Thanks to your generous support, this team has been able to assist 55 899 individuals through 664 404 meaningful interventions,” Mr Thomas explained.

Masiphumelele residents stand in shock as they watch some of their homes on fire and being destroyed by the fire this week.

Among the affected residents depending on assistance is Jennifer Mgubane. She said is still in shock and can only think of ways to recover.

“There are so many things, my kids clothes, their school books, our IDs and not to mention all our furniture and other belongings. I don’t even know where to start thinking,” Ms Mgubane said.

Living with her are her four children and an 18-year-old niece whose mother died in a fire a few years back.

“For that child it’s haunting her and every time there is a fire, it reminds her of her mother. So a few days before Christmas, the fire reminds her of her mother,” she said.

Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said the first arriving officer from Kommetjie Road saw the extent of the fire and called for additional resources.

Mr Carelse added that they had had 14 frontline firefighting resources and 70 staff members from several fire stations on the scene.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Sonica Lategan, said they would be conducting a formal assessment of the fire once Fire and Rescue Services had cleared the site.

“These statistics will be confirmed once the assessment has been completed, and all affected persons registered for onward submission to Sassa and the National Department of Human Settlements. Humanitarian relief partners, Living Hope and Gift of the Givers are on site to assist with the immediate needs of the affected residents. The assessment will also determine which additional City Services are required on-site to assist with recovery efforts,” Ms Lategan said.

Meanwhile, Mr Thomas has called on the public to come forward and assist.

“We urgently need your help,” he said.

Donations of hygiene items, baby items, clothing for all ages, and non-perishable food items (rice, maize meal, tinned fish, tinned beans) are critical to support those affected by the fire, he said.

“Every contribution can make a significant difference in their recovery.”

How you can help:

Donated items of food, clothing and hygiene items, can be dropped off at Capri Campus at 7 Kommetjie Main Road, Capri; or at the Capricorn Campus at 29 Drury Road, Vrygrond.
Donate Online: https://www.livinghope.co.za/give/

Call 021 784 2800 for more more information.

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