The community of Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape was facing a dire Christmas following last weekend’s tornado. The victims were offered food, clothes, blankets and temporary shelter.
Hundreds of homes were destroyed in Dutyini Village and about 20 people were injured during the tornado. Some families still have not recovered from the last tornado in 1999 which killed 20 people.
The latest tornado took people’s homes and children’s new clothes for Christmas. Officials brought tents for victims to live in temporarily. Construction has already begun on housing for tornado victims. Housing officials say more departments will have to be roped in to fast track the process of rebuilding.
Villagers are happy they have a chance of an almost normal Christmas, and they hope that there will be fewer natural disasters in years to come.
Grim Christmas for Ravensmead residents
Eighty families in Ravensmead in Cape Town will have very little to celebrate this Christmas. Living in bad conditions and sharing a dilapidated marquee, they say they are finding it difficult just to stay healthy.
The families were evicted from a school that they were using as shelter. They used to be backyard dwellers. Many of the children are suffering from TB and it is spreading like wild fire because they have to share the same space. Johannes Bastian, of the Ravensmead Civic Organisation, said the conditions are exacerbated by excessive heat and rats running free in the tent.
People say they have become a soft target for gangsters. Many say their only wish for Christmas is some food and someone to help them. They hope the authorities will step in soon and give them something to look forward to in the new year. SABC
Hundreds of homes were destroyed in Dutyini Village and about 20 people were injured during the tornado. Some families still have not recovered from the last tornado in 1999 which killed 20 people.
The latest tornado took people’s homes and children’s new clothes for Christmas. Officials brought tents for victims to live in temporarily. Construction has already begun on housing for tornado victims. Housing officials say more departments will have to be roped in to fast track the process of rebuilding.
Villagers are happy they have a chance of an almost normal Christmas, and they hope that there will be fewer natural disasters in years to come.
Grim Christmas for Ravensmead residents
Eighty families in Ravensmead in Cape Town will have very little to celebrate this Christmas. Living in bad conditions and sharing a dilapidated marquee, they say they are finding it difficult just to stay healthy.
The families were evicted from a school that they were using as shelter. They used to be backyard dwellers. Many of the children are suffering from TB and it is spreading like wild fire because they have to share the same space. Johannes Bastian, of the Ravensmead Civic Organisation, said the conditions are exacerbated by excessive heat and rats running free in the tent.
People say they have become a soft target for gangsters. Many say their only wish for Christmas is some food and someone to help them. They hope the authorities will step in soon and give them something to look forward to in the new year. SABC
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