Thousands of Dunoon residents have no idea how they will recover from a devastating fire that left more than 5000 people homeless. The fire happened days before most kids are set to return to school on Wednesday.
Noted as one of the largest informal settlement fires in the Western Cape since the 2013 Khayelitsha fire, with complete chaos as far as the eye can see, the fire destroyed more than 1,000 shacks. As reported by News24, it has displaced about 5,500 people.
In the aftermath of these disastrous fires, the community of Dunoon lay stripped to its frame as residents picked through ash and twisted metal, trying to rebuild their homes. Residents are saying that the impact of the fire has been one of the worst they’ve seen in their community.
Many have lost everything and are finding it very difficult to start afresh, as most come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are trying by all means to put food on the table.
Gift of the Givers (GoTG) has been on the scene, trying their best to assist with food and water. Community activist Emihle Kanityi said, “A lot of children don’t even have school uniforms to go back to school on Wednesday. They have no stationery, they don’t have anything. We need food to eat. Other people don’t even have the materials to build their houses because they were away…they were in the Eastern Cape”.
Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay said one of the worst fears came true when community members started to rebuild structures again in areas that had been condemned.
“It’s quite concerning, as there are still many wires lying around. There’s still sewerage pipes lying around, and community members are not heeding that call from the law enforcement and from the officials on the ground about the danger of building up the structures again.”
Gift of the Givers has been providing daily meals – breakfast, lunch, and supper to most of the affected families. The situation in Dunoon is heartbreaking and is raising concerns for parents, as some children are starting Grade R and Grade 1.
With their documents missing, it’s difficult for them to go to school on Wednesday.
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Feature Image: Gettys
