EThekwini Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo visited fire victims at the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement, today, 12 June 2014, to hand over food parcels as part of the Municipality’s social intervention to help the displaced residents rebuild their lives.
The fire which was caused by a paraffin stove that was knocked over in one of the shacks left about 700 families destitute last week.
Speaking at Kennedy Road Informal Settlement, Nxumalo told residents to remain calm because the City is doing everything in its power to ensure that they receive assistance.
The rapid response teams from City’s Disaster Management Centre have been on site since the night of the incident. Families who were left homeless were accommodated in a local hall and an emergency shelter was erected.
Nxumalo who was accompanied by the Ward 25 Councillor Bhekisani Ngcobo, SASSA and non-government organisations handed over food parcels consisting of mealie-meal, rice, oil, tea, sugar, beans, samp, flour, cereal and mattresses.
The Municipality spent R900 per family on food parcels and children were given brand new school uniforms.
The Municipality has formed partnerships with non-government organisations and private companies who are continuing to provide soup kitchens for the residents daily.

