Fires devastate informal settlements, humanitarian response underway

SEVERAL informal settlements across the province have been hit by devastating fires, leaving scores of families homeless and prompting an urgent humanitarian response from relief organisations and government departments.

- WENDY DONDOLO

Gift of the Givers confirmed that its teams were activated following multiple calls from affected communities, including the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement in Hout Bay, where a blaze destroyed numerous structures.

"Calls were received from community leaders and affected residents of the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement in Hout Bay, where a fire destroyed a number of structures, leaving close to 200 people homeless," the organisation said, adding that teams were on the ground conducting assessments.

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Sonica Lategan said preliminary assessments painted a clearer picture of the destruction in some areas.