Key Takeaways
- A devastating fire in the Dunoon informal settlement in Cape Town has left over 5,500 people without homes and destroyed more than 1,000 shacks.
- The fire is considered one of the largest informal settlement fires in the Western Cape since 2013, with Gift of the Givers describing it as a "catastrophic" event.
- City officials and humanitarian organizations are coordinating relief efforts, including registration of affected residents, provision of food and shelter, and plans for reconstruction.
- The City of Cape Town is advocating for the national Department of Human Settlements to release reconstruction kits to affected residents as quickly as possible.
- Donation drives are underway across multiple fire stations, with the public encouraged to support the affected families.
Introduction to the Devastating Fire
The city of Cape Town is reeling from a devastating fire that swept through the Dunoon informal settlement on Friday, leaving thousands of people without homes. The fire, which is considered one of the largest informal settlement fires in the Western Cape since 2013, destroyed over 1,000 shacks and affected more than 5,500 people. Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman described the blaze as "probably the largest informal settlement fire in the Western Cape since the Khayelitsha fire of 2013", stating that "5,500 of our fellow compatriots became refugees in their own space as in excess of 1,000 dwellings were totally obliterated".
Response to the Fire
The response to the fire has been swift and comprehensive, with city officials and humanitarian organizations working together to provide relief to the affected residents. The mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, visited the site on Saturday morning and confirmed that the firefighting effort required to contain the blaze was extensive. "Because of the high winds, it was a very tough fire to extinguish. In the end, it required two helicopters and more than 12 fire engines to extinguish it at around 19:00 last night," he said. Despite the extensive destruction, Hill-Lewis expressed relief at the absence of casualties. "Early indications are that somewhere between 900 and 1500 shacks were destroyed in this fire. We are very fortunate that so far we’ve had no fatalities."
Humanitarian Efforts
The humanitarian response to the fire has been significant, with Gift of the Givers providing food and shelter to the affected residents. According to Sooliman, Gift of the Givers "fed 3,000 residents and the 220 remarkable public servants" on Friday night, with "breakfast provided to 3,500 individuals" on Saturday morning. The organization plans to continue providing support to the affected residents in the days ahead. City Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell confirmed that the registration of affected persons is ongoing, and that this process will enable government relief. "Once the impact of the fire has been confirmed and all affected persons registered, the lists will be submitted to the provincial Department of Social Development and the national Department of Human Settlements for relief," she said.
Reconstruction and Relief Efforts
The City of Cape Town is advocating for the national Department of Human Settlements to release reconstruction kits to affected residents as quickly as possible. Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements Carl Pophaim urged the national Department of Human Settlements to act with urgency in this matter. "The City continues to advocate for the human settlements disaster mandate and funding to be devolved, so that we can cut out the national middle man," he said. Meanwhile, donation drives are underway across multiple fire stations, with Hill-Lewis encouraging public support. "If anyone would like to donate anything to the families who have lost so much in this fire, all of our fire stations are donation receipt points," he said.
Other Fires in the Region
The Dunoon fire is not an isolated incident, as other fires have been reported in the region. In Ekurhuleni, two people have died following a fire that engulfed multiple shacks in the Marathon Informal Settlement, Primrose. City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Services spokesperson Eric Maloka said firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze which broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning. Additionally, firefighters continue to battle multiple blazes across the Western and Eastern Cape, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and support for affected communities.
Conclusion
The devastating fire in the Dunoon informal settlement is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by many communities in South Africa. The swift and comprehensive response to the fire is a testament to the resilience and compassion of the people of Cape Town and the humanitarian organizations that are working to support the affected residents. As the city begins the process of recovery and reconstruction, it is essential that the national Department of Human Settlements provides the necessary support and resources to ensure that the affected residents are able to rebuild their lives and their homes.