Dunoon fire victims get international aid
Fire victims at Site 5, in Dunoon's Doornbach, had a moment of reprieve on Monday February 3 when multinational aid organisation, WeLoveU, donated food parcels.
Ezra Baek, a regional manager of the foundation said: “A huge unexpected disaster makes one’s life collapse and even destroys the social foundation of a nation. We provide emergency relief to victims who have lost their homes and livelihood due to environmental disasters such as earthquakes, famines, floods and the like.”
He added: “We are here today to provide emergency relief to the victims of Dunoon due to the damage caused by the fire. Every little helps to bring a big change to the world. We are happy to take this opportunity to participate in saving the world through this volunteer activity. We believe that we can bring hope through our actions.”
Thando Dedezane acting councillor of ward 104 in Dunoon welcomed the donation which he said was a rare gesture towards the people of Dunoon.
“I am happy to see a foundation from as far as from South Korea come here to Dunoon. They heard about our pain and decided to ease it,” said Mr Dedezana.
Last year nearly 500 shacks burnt down, leaving many people homeless, he said, adding that losing a home impacts the psychological welfare of a community and puts more pressure on the heads of families.
“If a mother or father has a problem at home it affects the kids, and the kids end up getting lost in the process. Then we end up with this problem of a dysfunctional society,” he said.
Provincial MEC of Social Development Jaco Londt said that last year the Western Cape was hit by seven massive disasters in the first seven months, followed by smaller disasters throughout the year.
“The disaster relief takes too long to be released and that is something we as provincial government have been engaging with with our colleagues at national level, on how we can do that turn around a lot quicker,” said Mr Londt.
He added that while they are still in talks with the national government, the provincial treasury made interim funding available.