The scene at Quarry Road informal settlement in Durban, where a fire that reportedly started in a shack occupied by an immigrant who allegedly fled the scene spread rapidly, destroying 130 neighbouring shacks on Thursday. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is working with other provincial departments, the eThekwini Municipality, the national Department of Human Settlements and relief organisations to provide food, shelter, clothing and school uniforms for displaced learners needing to return to class urgently.
Image: KZN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
THE KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is working to secure school uniforms for scores of learners displaced by the devastating fire that swept through the Quarry Road informal settlement in Durban, enabling them to return to school as quickly as possible.
The intervention follows Thursday’s blaze, which razed about 130 shacks, leaving hundreds of residents homeless. Affected families are currently being sheltered in two large tents erected at the scene.
Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said the disaster left 477 people displaced, including 299 children and 178 adults.
“We are currently busy getting school uniforms for the learners as they need to return to school as soon as possible. A report has been submitted to the MEC for Education, Mr Sipho Hlomuka,” said Sibiya.
He added that officials are also assisting affected residents to replace lost identity documents and children’s birth certificates destroyed in the fire.
Sibiya said preliminary reports indicate the blaze started in a shack belonging to an immigrant, who allegedly fled the scene following the incident.
He said relief efforts are being coordinated jointly with the eThekwini Municipality, the office of Mayor Cyril Xaba, and the office of Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane.
Teams deployed to the area will remain on site to ensure victims continue receiving the support they need.
Sibiya said KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga have also dispatched departmental teams to provide medical and social relief services.
He also thanked several organisations and community groups for their swift response and generosity.
Among those assisting are the Gift of the Givers Foundation, which donated mattresses and blankets; the Al Imdaad Foundation, which supplied food parcels; the Red Cross, which provided hot meals; the Ikabawo Performing Arts Academy; and community members who donated cooked food to displaced families.