Residents of Nelson Mandela Bay affected by the June floods will soon receive relief, as the National Treasury is expected to release the first payment of disaster aid in early October.
The city applied for R218-million in disaster relief after the floods caused major damage in areas like KwaNobuhle, Kariega, and Walmer Township.
Eastern Cape Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Zolile Williams, confirmed that the funds should be available by the first week of October, possibly even sooner.
“The National Disaster Centre has confirmed the funding allocation, and I’m expecting it by the end of next week because of the pressure I’m applying to resolve the disaster challenges,” Williams said.
The funds will provide temporary housing for those displaced by the floods and repair damaged infrastructure.
Williams added that the metro aims to complete 20 temporary housing units each week to help relocate affected residents.
Temporary residential units are on their way to Nelson Mandela Bay.
Nearly 200 people from the Lapland informal settlement in Kariega lost their homes when the floods destroyed their shacks in low-lying areas.
In KwaNobuhle, a collapsed bridge has forced residents to find alternative routes into the township.
Pictured above: Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Zolile Williams with Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor Gary van Niekerk and council speaker Eugene Johnson.
Source: Supplied
