MEDIA ADVISORY
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES RELIEVE THE HORROR OF BEING TRAPPED IN A FLOODED RESIDENTIAL FACILITY
eThekwini, 22 April 2022
In the aftermath of the recent floods that ravaged some parts of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and MEC of Social Development, Ms Nonhlanhla Khoza conducted an assessment visit to Nazarene Church in Morningside, Durban which currently serves as a temporary shelter for a group of displaced blind senior citizens
The group was evacuated from JEP Home for the Blind which was severely damaged by recent floods in KZN. Relieving the horror of being trapped in a flooded residential facility with nothing but a walking cane, Ms Angela Drinkwater relayed that the events of that fateful night will remain with her forever.
"It started like any other rain but before I know it, I was knee-high deep in rushing water. It was a nightmare and I would like to thank the caregivers at the residential facility for coming to our rescue on time and saving our lives, said Ms Drinkwater.
Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu and MEC Khoza distributed social relief of distress and other basic necessities to make the group's stay at the church bearable. Addressing the group, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu emphasised that Government's disaster preparedness and response plans should consider the special needs of persons with disabilities who experience increased vulnerability during disasters.
"How people prepare and respond to disasters depend on their physical mobility. As you know, persons with disabilities are likely to be physically challenged and particularly vulnerable to negative disaster situations. The floods highlighted the need for us to be better prepared for disasters of this magnitude. We need to improve our response systems to better meet the needs of persons with disabilities in a disaster, said Deputy Minister Zulu.
After the Nazarene Church, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu visited Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre for a dialogue with homeless persons and substance users in and around Durban. The Bellhaven centre provides community-based health and harm reduction for homeless persons and substance users. Before the floods, the centre catered for 180 homeless and substance users who have now been displaced by recent floods.
During the dialogue, the residents pleaded with Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu to initiate empowerment programmes for substance users and homeless persons.
Today, 22 April, Minister Lindiwe Zulu, Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu and MEC Khoza will conduct an assessment visit and distribute social relief of distress to affected individuals and households. This visit forms part of the outreach programme to provide immediate humanitarian relief to communities affected by the floods.
The visit is scheduled as follows:
Date: Friday, 22 April 2022
Time: 11h30
Venue: Esibanini Community Hall, Umzumbe Local Municipality.
Members can RSVP by contacting Ms Makhosazana Mavuso on 072 732 9381/ e-mail: Makhosazanama@dsd.gov.za or Mr Mhlabunzima Memela on 064 186 6854.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or LumkaO@dsd.gov.za