With reference to the fire that raged in Nelson Mandela Bay yesterday, in which three hundred shacks in the informal settlement of Chris Hani, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth were destroyed, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is implementing short, medium and long-term plans to restore the lives of the fire victims to some normality.
The Municipality wishes to express its compassion to the victims of the fire and also its appreciation to the neighbours of the fire victims for their support, whether emotional or material, both during and after the fire.
The Municipality has established a multi-disciplinary task team to work together with representatives of the affected community to guide relief efforts. As a first priority, the Municipality is providing the affected residents with temporary shelter (the Ithembelihle and Phillip Nikiwe schools) and food. The Municipality has already made an initial assessment of the Infrastructure and Engineering and Human Settlements needs of the affected residents. Going forward, the residents will be relocated from the area to designated areas elsewhere.
Victims who have health problems will be attended to, while the Municipality has already contacted the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that those who have lost documentation such as identity documents, are issued with replacement copies.
The Municipality is attending to the catering and basic needs of the victims. In this regard, we met with representatives from Gift of the Givers earlier today, who offered to work collaboratively with the City to assist the affected residents. In the short-term, Gift of the Givers will be providing two meals a day for affected residents until Monday. Going forward, it will also assist by building 100 shelters. The Municipality is extremely grateful for this wonderful gesture and wishes to thank Gift of the Givers.
However, the Municipality wishes to urge members of the public and local business sector as well as other social partners to contribute foodstuffs, preferably non-perishable items, such as tinned foods. This may be dropped off at the Fire Station in Walmer Boulevard during office hours from today, including Saturday.
Zanoxolo Wayile
Executive Mayor
