SANDF helicopter called to deliver aid to isolated Western Cape towns

Citrusdal and Vredendal in the Western Cape have been cut off from the outside world after floodwater washed away roads to the towns. The Western Cape Disaster Management has called in a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) helicopter to help deliver aid to the areas.

Citrusdal and Vredendal Stranded

Provincial Disaster Management Head, Colin Deiner, said two of the Western Cape’s own helicopters would also be helping to deliver supplies.

Disaster response NGO, the Gift of the Givers Foundation, said the Western Cape government requested assistance with filling the three helicopters with essential supplies.

“Gift of the Givers has already diverted a Johannesburg truck from Beaufort West to Malmesbury, whilst the Cape Town teams loaded supplies on additional trucks heading out for Malmesbury shortly to avoid being on the road when monster storms are expected to strike the province.

“Gift of the Givers trucks is loaded with fleece blankets, plastic coveralls, bottled water, bread, non-perishable food items and hygiene packs,” read a statement on Saturday morning, 17 June.

The NGO said the number of people affected by the flooding in the province is rising rapidly. Thousands of blankets, mattresses, sleeping bags, plastic coveralls, hygiene packs, fortified peanut paste and nutritionally enriched Genesis cereal would be required to help affected communities, as well as new clothes, food parcels, stationery and building material.

Wupperthal and Tsitsikamma are two of the many communities affected by the weather conditions that are waiting for help.

“Contributions can be made to Gift of the Givers, Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Account number 052137228, Branch Code 057525, ref SA disaster,” said the statement.

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