MEDIA STATEMENT
SASSA COMMITS SUPPORT AND URGENT ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY FLOODS IN LIMPOPO AND MPUMALANGA
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is deeply saddened by the devasting floods which have impacted communities and caused widespread destruction in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. We extend our deepest sympathy to families who have lost loved ones, their homes and basic means of survival during this time.
SASSA is working closely with both Provincial Disaster Management Committees and Joint Operation Centre Committees in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to provide urgent relief and interventions to flood victims. Moreover, the Agency has deployed SASSA officials to provide maximum support to distressed families in Vhembe and Mopani Districts (Limpopo), in particular and Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Mpumalanga.
Through its Social Relief of Distress (SRD) program, upon completion of assessment, SASSA will provide hot meals daily at identified sites where displaced families will be sheltered; solidifying SASSA’s stance on food security. In addition, SASSA will provide care packages to displaced families which will include:
Cash vouchers
Blankets
One mattress per person
School uniforms to affected learners.
Approximately 947 households have been affected in Vhembe and Mopani Districts, Limpopo Province. Officials are conducting assessments in the affected areas and are in touch with displaced families. However, Nkomo and Ngobe villages in Vhembe District are still inaccessible due to infrastructure damage; bridges have been swept away by the floods. The Department of Public Works is working tirelessly to urgently fix damage to infrastructure to enable officials to gain access to the area.
Furthermore, officials from the Department of Social Development have assessed 17 families in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province; with one family indicating that they do not need any assistance. To this end, food parcels have been provided to 16 families by the Red Cross, SASSA will provide additional support to affected families through its Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme.
SASSA CEO, Mr Themba Matlou says that SASSA is mandated, as per the Social Assistance Act, to provide social assistance to affected families. “We are working actively and closely with Disaster Management and local authorities to provide urgent emergency intervention to families who have been affected by these devastating floods. We also convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to families who lost their loved ones because of this tragedy”, said SASSA CEO, Themba Matlou.
ISSUED BY SASSA
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:
Paseka Letsatsi, SASSA Spokesperson | Tel: 082 883 9969
