Yesterday, Living Hope handed over the final emergency recovery packs to residents that lost their homes in the 21 November 2022 fire that destroyed the homes of 1202 Masiphumelele residents. This fire came on the back of an earlier fire on 31 October 2022 that affected 715 residents. Now, as the veldfire season gets going, Living Hope Executive Director, Victor Thomas, is concerned about the likelihood of informal settlement fires in the months ahead. Together with community leaders, Living Hope coordinates the post-fire emergency response by ensuring that affected residents are provided with food and the bare necessities to help them recover from losing their home.
“Historically, we know that as the hot, dry months of summer approach, so does the risk of fires in many of our communities across the Western Cape. We need to be ready to care for these neighbours in these times of crisis.”
“On Wednesday, 7th December, we started our community response to yet another fire. Fortunately, this smaller one affects 5 homes and 16 residents. As we move into this fire season, I appeal to all spheres of government and our communities to ensure that fire prevention and readiness measures are in place to reduce the impact and size of informal settlement fires. While we advocate for and support firefighting readiness measures being in place, our teams will continue to meet the real-time needs of our neighbours on the ground.”, says Thomas.
In collaboration with the impacted community’s leaders, Living Hope puts together an emergency recovery pack of bed sheets, curtains, hygiene packs, food parcels, sets of pots, clothing, and other household goods from the donations received to help the families recover from losing their few assets. “Specific recovery packs are distributed for children and infants,” says Thomas, “Yesterday, we completed the recovery process for the 21 November 2022 fire in Masiphumelele. This brings the total number of emergency recovery packs supplied this year to more than 2348. This is in addition to the mattresses, blankets, and hygiene packs provided by SASSA.”
During the period of recovery, which can take 2-3 weeks, 3 daily meals are coordinated by Living Hope provided by SASSA and various community programmes, including The Living Hope Cooking Mama programme. This collaboration between informal settlement communities and Living Hope focuses on reaching the most vulnerable in the South Peninsula’s informal settlements by providing weekly food to 43 kitchens. During a time of crisis, such as the recent fires, this effort is scaled up further, as these kitchens mobilise, cook and distribute additional meals to the victims in their communities.
“The generosity and kindness of these women to their community is so appreciated, as is the gift of funds from donors that supply ingredients for this relief to individuals while they recover. We couldn’t have managed this ongoing effort without donations and the commitment of Living Hope staff and volunteers. One of our staff, Nandi, while rescuing two of her clients from the Living Hope Disabilities Programme from their homes, lost her own home during the November fire. This is an explicit display of her priorities during a time of immense crisis. She chose to run into the burning area and save those needing help, rather than use the opportunity to save her own home. She chose to love her neighbour. We want to thank all the loving, generous donors and volunteers who make community crisis responses possible.”, says Thomas.
Living Hope undertakes community development through educational, social, income generation and health-related programmes, running outreach, training and employment initiatives throughout the South Peninsula.
Donations can be delivered to the Capri Campus, 7 Kommetjie Main Road, Opposite Food Zone, Capri, 7975
Banking details:
Living Hope
Disaster Appeal Account
FNB Longbeach Mall
Account no: 626 724 192 67, Branch code: 260300
Issued by: Living Hope Trust.
Tel: 0833242750, Victor Thomas (Executive Director)
Residents of the recent Masiphumelele fire have started to rebuild their homes from the rubble.
Photo Cred: Living Hope, 2022
Living Hope handed over the final emergency recovery packs to residents that lost their homes in the 21 November 2022 fire that destroyed the homes of 1202 Masiphumelele residents.
Photo Cred: Living Hope, 2022
3 daily meals for the fire victims are coordinated by Living Hope provided by SASSA and various community programmes including The Living Hope Cooking Mama programme.
Photo Cred: Living Hope, 2022