SANRAL projects KZN

UN SA has redirected millions of rands to assist Government’s response to the flood-damaged areas in KZN. Photo: GCIS / Flickr

KZN floods: UN SA contributes R21 million to support affected communities

The UN SA has redirected a massive R21 million to assist government with rebuilding and helping impacted communities in KZN.

SANRAL projects KZN

UN SA has redirected millions of rands to assist Government’s response to the flood-damaged areas in KZN. Photo: GCIS / Flickr

The United Nations (UN) SA has reallocated R21 million of its programming budget to assist Government’s response to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) following last month’s flooding. The UN’s resident coordinator Ayodele Odusola made the undertaking.

UN SA notes climate change as a pressing issue

Odusola made the announcement at a media briefing with KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala in Durban on Thursday, 12 May. Odusola says the floods and ongoing socio-economic challenges in KZN  presented an opportunity and ultimatum for everyone.

ALSO READ: KZN floods update – Death toll at 445 while 48 still missing, says Cogta

He shared that climate change is a pressing issue. Adding that in the aftermath of the floods, UN agencies have been working alongside Government to assist affected communities.

“It’s a clear sign the impact of climate change is one of the pressing issues of our time,”

said Odusola.

Premier Zikalala welcomed the UN SA’s support. The UN also plans to work alongside the eThekwini Municipality to build on existing work with the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department. The work is focused on accelerating service delivery to assess progress on repairs to infrastructure that faced damages due to last month’s devastating weather.

Odusola says the focus is on immediate humanitarian needs.

“We are focusing our attention on immediate humanitarian needs in those communities that are extremely vulnerable and marginalised so we can make an impact on the ground,”

Odusola said.
A number of people have died while thousands have been left without homes following the floods in KZN. Photo: GCIS / Flickr

KZN Premier reassures residents that Government is working to restore things

Premier Zikalala said the KZN Government is moving fast to make sure that life returns to normal in the province. He explained that Government is working hard to ensure that important infrastructure is restored. Adding that the Cogta department is working on this.

Zikalala also spoke about electricity, waste and sewer systems that were destroyed due to the flooding.

“Eventually we would have to build houses so people go back to reside in their respective areas in proper houses. The system of water supply was severely affected, with some areas not having potable drinking water. This is more prevalent in the northern part of eThekwini,”

said Zikalala.

Zikalala noted the serious regression of development following the floods, reports TimesLIVE.

“The magnitude of the damage caused by floods is serious and severe. We hope with time we are able to restore hope and rebuild damaged infrastructure left damaged,”

said Zikalala.