By: Natasha Archary
As the death toll from the KZN disaster continues to rise, with more than 27 others still missing, President Ramaphosa has postponed his international appearances.
The President was expected in Saudi Arabia this week but has chosen to remain in the country to focus on the KwaZulu-Natal flooding.
With government allocating almost R1 billion in relief aid to assist those who lost homes to rebuild, Ramaphosa is expected to meet with Ministers on the situation.
In order to assess how the different spheres of government, in partnership with civil society organisations and communities cooperate, the President has a lot to oversee in addressing the crisis.
The death toll from the KZN disaster has climbed to 395 but search and rescue operations are still underway to find dozens more who are missing.
Officials fear that many people were buried in the devastating landslides that shook the KZN province over the past week.
President Ramaphosa said: “The loss of nearly 400 lives and thousands of homes, as well as the economic impact and the destruction of infrastructure, calls for all hands on deck. As government, we are standing by the people of KwaZulu-Natal through the provision of social and material support to thousands of households and a vast number of businesses that have been affected by this catastrophe.”
“We appreciate the solidarity and generosity with which people and organisations across the country have come to the assistance of those whose lives have been so tragically disrupted by the floods.
“We have also been touched by the expressions of concern and solidarity, and offers of assistance expressed by many countries around the world.”
Also read: Dj Shimza cancels Kunye concert due to KZN floods
