Cape Town - Western Cape MEC for Social Development Patricia De Lille has stepped in to assist hundreds of residents whose homes were ravaged by fire in Hout Bay's Imizamo Yethu Informal settlement.
The fire began shortly before sunrise on Saturday, destroying at least 120 wooden and iron structures and displaced 450 adults and 20 children.
De Lille said after consulting with community leaders in the area, disaster management and the fire department, she instructed her department-sponsored service provider to deliver baby packs, brunches and blankets to the survivors.
"It is with great relief that I can say that there were no fatalities, so for the next two days we will be providing hot brunches and dinners to survivors that are not mourning any loved ones. Of course, losing all of one's belongings is bad enough."
She said the department is working with one of their service providers to ensure that those affected are provided with new clothes.
"After we have received household claims from the affected families at our Wynberg office, we will process further cash support of R750 per household.
"Our Wynberg office will also determine through their assessment whether anyone requires trauma counseling," she said.
