Urgent call for action: Starter kits needed for fire and flood victims in informal settlements

Community leaders from across Cape Town have come together to call for the reinstatement of starter kits for fire and flood victims living in informal settlements.

The call follows extensive discussions, the most recent of which took place in Ottery on Tuesday, July 8.

At the meeting, a group of leaders formed an action group to hold authorities accountable for their response to disasters. The group aims to ensure support is provided to communities affected by fire or flooding, especially in the absence of national aid.

Starter kits, once issued to residents to help rebuild after disasters, have not been provided since national funding for the programme was discontinued in December 2020 due to budget constraints. Community members say this has left fire victims struggling to recover.

“It is imperative that immediate action is taken to address the critical crisis facing the Western Cape in terms of providing aid to the victims of fires who have lost their homes,” said Ottery community leader Keith Blake. “These individuals are in desperate need of support in the form of starter kits to help them rebuild their destroyed homes. This situation is a humanitarian disaster that cannot be neglected or delayed.

"The City must prioritise securing funding from the national government and making provincial funds available for disaster relief. The poorest of the poor in informal settlements have already lost everything and cannot afford to wait any longer for help,” he said.

GOOD Party councillor Axolile Notywala said it was vital to treat residents of informal settlements such as Egoli with dignity, especially following disasters. In March, a fire in Egoli left 108 people homeless, prompting protests between 7 and 10 May. Residents called for improved service delivery and support.

At the Ottery meeting, community leaders agreed to issue a media statement to raise awareness of the need for starter kits and to put pressure on the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements to secure urgent funding. The action group will also seek a meeting with the executive mayor and hold a community meeting to involve residents in ongoing discussions.

Leaders present included Wesley Neumann (Pelican Park and surrounds), Beryl Williams (Phumlani), and Pastor Paul Phillips (Parkwood and Lotus River), who all stressed the need for greater responsiveness to grassroots issues. They urged the government to prioritise the provision of starter kits and other support for fire victims.

Mr Blake also highlighted the importance of accurately assessing fires in informal settlements and ensuring the need for starter kits is communicated to the national government through councillors and the Disaster Risk Management department.

Councillor Carl Pophaim, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, said the City had long been pushing for the return of national funding for emergency relief, including starter kits.

“Until a few years ago, the City was the only metro in South Africa that provided enhanced emergency kits to assist residents on a humanitarian basis,” said Mr Pophaim. “The City tried everything in its power to challenge the funding cuts that made it impossible for it to continue this unique programme.”

He said the City took the matter to Parliament and had received a commitment from the Minister that the decision to cancel funding to metros would be reviewed.

“Not only does the City have the expertise and knowledge on the ground, it is able to provide assistance faster than when such programmes are centralised with the national government,” he said.

“The City welcomes the support of community groupings for this cause and we encourage them to approach the National Minister directly as well. The City will aim to hold the national government to their commitment and will update the public on progress,” Mr Pophaim added.