The Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Flood Relief and Recovery has expressed concern about the lack of coordination and comprehensive plans to address the housing needs of people displaced by the flood.
The committee held a meeting with the Departments of Social Development, Transport, Small Business Development and State Enterprises to get an idea of ​​the extent of government support for the affected provinces and municipalities. This is to help communities that were severely affected by the floods that hit parts of the country in April.
During Thursday’s meeting, the committee was informed of the inhumane conditions in some shelters where children, women and men sleep in the same place, which poses a risk as women and children are vulnerable to all kinds of dangers, including gender-based violence (GBV).
The Committee asked the Department of Social Development to submit a consolidated report on all donor funding received from various countries, including the private sector and non-governmental organizations.
Committee chairmen Cedric Frolik and Joma Nyambi said the committee is unhappy with the slow delivery of temporary housing units (TRUs), noting that it makes it difficult to address the housing backlog and causes shelters to be used longer than expected.
“The committee wants the Department of Human Settlements to expedite the provision of TRUs, understanding that they are not a permanent solution, but only a temporary measure,” both chairmen said.
The committee also noted the detailed focus on KwaZulu-Natal province in the Department of Transport report, however a similar level of detail was lacking for the Eastern Cape and North West Region.
The committee said it expects the department to come back with a more detailed report on the interventions in the two provinces.
The Committee also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of detailed information in the presentation of the Department of Small Business Development on the distribution of assistance funds to beneficiaries.
He said he was concerned that the lack of detail could lead to marginalized people not getting help from relief funds.
The committee said applications for aid were only opened in July, four months after the April floods.
“This shows that there was no need to urgently respond to the declaration of a natural disaster,” the chairmen said.
Meanwhile, the committee lauded the report that the port of Durban has been restored to full functionality, re-establishing the country in the international trading economy.
He also welcomed the announcement that Transnet had entered into an agreement with the eThekwini Municipality to maintain Montclair Lodge in Yellowwood Park, which is currently housing flood victims. – SAnews.gov.za
