Forum, welfare address fund allocation concerns

DESTITUTE FAMILIES

- NADIA KHAN [e-mail]

THE Tongaat Hindu Unity Forum and Tongaat Child Welfare Society have denied allegations of mismanagement.

They have explained how the tornado relief fund was being allocated, with particular focus on the challenges of asbestos removal that had delayed repairs to homes in Newtown.

Vedananda Govindsamy, the forum’s chairperson, said as part of the broader Tongaat Disaster Relief (TDR) Action Committee, they received monetary donations to assist victims of the tornado disaster.

He said the committee was a collaborative initiative formed by the forum, the welfare society, the Vish-waroop Temple, the Tongaat Civic Association and other concerned community members.

“This committee coordinated relief efforts with a shared commitment to transparency, compassion and community upliftment. Our technical team of professionals, comprising seven engineers, conducted on-the-ground assessments in affected areas, verified damage, and _prioritised support based on vulnerability, socioeconomic status, and the extent of loss.

“Our technical team still continues to account for all the damaged properties, especially those uninsured and underinsured, and are having challenges in obtaining compliance for occupation,” he said.

Govindsamy said while most of the damaged homes which were uninsured were attended to in the areas of Sandfields, Jan Ross and Naidoo Road, the damages in Newtown received no attention from individuals and organisations.

“After our meeting with Tongaat Hulett, the area of Magwaveni was receiving attention from them. Therefore the committee prioritised Newtown as an area requiring assistance since no other individual or organisation focused on the area.