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Trust account set up for flood victims

2 February 2011

Energy Minister Dipuo Peters has appealed to South Africans, especially the business community, to contribute towards the effort to rebuild the lives of people affected by the recent floods across the country.

The Department of Energy has opened a trust account for those wanting to make contributions.

"The department will ensure that all donations reach those in need in a well co-ordinated and coherent manner," the department said in a statement on Tuesday. "The minister will also publicly announce the amount made and how the proceeds will be distributed to those affected."

The account details are as follows:
Bank name: Nedbank
Account name: Department of Energy – Flood Relief Fund
Account number: 1004565798
Branch code: 145405
Branch name: Corporate Client Services Johannesburg (CCS JHB)

For more information, please contact Ms Yolisa Mapekula in the office of the Department of Energy's director-general, Ms Nelisiwe Magubane, on 012 444 4063 or e-mail yolisa.mapekula@energy.gov.za.

Many of those affected are poor and vulnerable members of society who have been left destitute and desperate for shelter and food.

"Government's attempt to assist those affected cannot reach everyone," the department said. "However, if we come together, we will be able to make a speedy and meaningful contribution to the displaced communities."

Teams to assess the damage

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs announced on Tuesday that a high-powered government delegation, including representatives of the national disaster management centre, was to visit different parts of the country to assess the damage caused by the floods.

This follows a number of visits to flood-hit areas by Provincial Disaster Management Centres as well as various ministers.

"The visits will take place over three days, and will cover all provinces in an effort to re-assess the extent of the damages incurred in particularly the 33 municipalities declared as disaster areas, and any other affected villages and towns," the department said in a statement.

A consolidation of the initial assessments by provinces has put the cost of the damages at over R1-billion. Following the government delegation's visits, engineers would begin to verify the provincial assessments.

The department said that, from mid-December to 1 February, about 91 South Africans had lost their lives and 321 had been injured as a result of natural disasters, including severe storms, lightning and floods.

More than 13 000 houses had been damaged, along with public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, clinics and churches.

The government has prioritised humanitarian relief, the repair and upgrading of public infrastructure, agricultural relief in the form of equipment, livestock and crops, and repairs to damaged houses.

Source: BuaNews