Flooding in the Ladysmith CBD.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) in KZN has activated its intervention mechanisms to help families affected by the recent heavy torrential rains.
The disruptive rains led to a number of houses being submerged in water, leaving many families stranded and others seeking accommodation in community halls.
Sassa will help affected families to access the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme which is an immediate response to a crisis for individuals, a family or a community in the case of a disaster.
Simlindile Jabavu, Sassa’s acting regional executive manager, said Sassa will be liaising with district disaster teams to get lists of affected individuals to conduct needs assessments.
He said Sassa will ensure that food vouchers to the value of R700 are provided to needy individuals, and school uniforms will also be provided for pupils who lost their belongings because of the disaster.
In most parts of KZN, Jabavu said services at Sassa offices are not disrupted and offices continue to operate normally on weekdays.
He said where Sassa could not pay at cash paypoints under King Cetshwayo and some parts of Uthukela Districts, payments will be rescheduled in consultation with beneficiaries and local leadership.
“We are saddened by damage caused by the floods, especially in areas along the coast, we have established a team to mobilise resources and to also provide humanitarian relief to stranded families.
“We will work with various disaster management teams at all spheres of government to ensure that our people are assisted swiftly. On behalf of Sassa in KZN I would like to send our heartfelt condolences to all families who lost their loved ones during this difficult period,” said Jabavu.
Read More: https://www.sassa.gov.za/newsroom/articles/Documents/KZN_floods.pdf