Gift of the Givers, South Africa’s leading humanitarian aid organization, has stepped in to assist flood victims in Gqeberha and Kariega, Eastern Cape, after severe flooding hit the region.
This follows several warnings issued by the South African Weather Service about disruptive rain and severe thunderstorms affecting several provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Eastern Cape.
The disaster has left many residents stranded and in need of urgent assistance as the floods continue to wreak havoc in the area. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder and leader of Gift of the Givers, explained that numerous areas within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Kariega have been severely impacted, prompting immediate response measures, including evacuations to ensure the safety of affected communities.
“The overnight flooding in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Kariega is reminiscent of the devastating floods we experienced in June of this year,” Sooliman noted. He further highlighted the gravity of the situation by explaining that they have been in contact with local disaster management authorities since Sunday night as the situation unfolded.
The municipal manager, Mandla George, reached out at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, urgently requesting assistance in relocating communities to safer areas.
Gift of the Givers quickly mobilized resources, focusing on providing essential transportation, including buses and taxis, to assist in moving people out of the flood-affected zones. This critical step aims to prevent further casualties and ensure that those stranded in dangerous areas are brought to safety in a timely manner.
The flooding comes after a series of weather alerts issued by the South African Weather Service, warning that heavy rain and thunderstorms were expected to affect multiple regions across the country.
Gqeberha and Kariega, located within the Eastern Cape, have been among the hardest hit, with homes and infrastructure being submerged in water. The damage mirrors similar incidents from earlier this year when the same areas faced significant challenges due to torrential rains.
The response by Gift of the Givers underscores the ongoing challenges faced by South Africa due to extreme weather patterns, which have increasingly caused natural disasters like floods, landslides, and severe storms.
These unpredictable weather conditions have not only disrupted daily life but also resulted in extensive damage to property and the displacement of thousands of people.
In June 2023, the same regions were hit by similar floods, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Homes were washed away, roads were blocked, and families were forced to seek shelter elsewhere.
The recurrence of such events has placed immense pressure on disaster management services, and organizations like Gift of the Givers have had to repeatedly step in to provide much-needed relief.
Beyond evacuations, Gift of the Givers is also focusing on providing food, water, and medical supplies to those in need. In previous relief efforts, the organization has distributed thousands of food parcels, blankets, and other essentials to affected communities.
This time is no different, as the group plans to continue its support in collaboration with local authorities, ensuring that basic needs are met in the aftermath of the disaster.
The humanitarian group has a long history of responding to crises in South Africa and around the world, whether it’s natural disasters like floods, droughts, and fires, or humanitarian crises such as displacement and hunger.
Their swift response to the floods in Gqeberha and Kariega is another example of their commitment to providing lifesaving assistance when it is most needed.
As the situation in the Eastern Cape continues to evolve, Gift of the Givers is expected to remain on the ground, working tirelessly alongside local officials to mitigate the damage caused by the flooding and to ensure that communities are supported in rebuilding their lives after the waters recede.
This disaster serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of preparedness in the face of increasingly severe weather patterns, and organizations like Gift of the Givers play a vital role in offering hope and support during these challenging times.
