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Firefighters battle fire at the Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Langa on December 26, 2024
A devastating fire in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa has destroyed nearly 300 dwellings, displacing over 600 people. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) has activated a joint operations centre to coordinate the response to the disaster. Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Sonica Lategan confirmed that recovery efforts are underway with support from the city and humanitarian organizations.
“The City’s Electricity and Water & Sanitation Departments are working to restore services to the site,” Lategan said.
“Electricity in the surrounding areas has been secured, and the Solid Waste Department will begin mop-up operations once accessibility to the burn site is restored.”
The National Human Settlement Department will provide building materials to the affected homeowners, while the Western Cape Department of Social Development is offering psychosocial support to those in need.
Humanitarian relief partners, including Islamic Relief and Gift of the Givers, will provide hot meals to the displaced for the next seven days.
VIDEO | Gift of the Givers helps fire victims:
