Limpopo floods: Gift of the Givers steps in to assist

Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers says it has extended its response in Limpopo following severe flooding in the province.

Heavy rains have damaged over 1,600 homes, including those that have been submerged.

The heavy rains and flooding have also claimed at least nine lives, while more people are feared missing.

The estimated damage to infrastructure is estimated at R4 billion so far.

While relief operations have been hampered by tough terrain, mop-up operations are expected to continue on Monday.

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Gift of the Givers chairman Imtiaz Sooliman said teams are working closely with provincial and local disaster management authorities to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

"We're now looking at four additional districts, Vhembe, Phalaborwa, Giyani, and one other district inside the Limpopo province. Helicopters have been made available to us, four by fours, additional vehicles, full support staff for Gift of the Givers teams to access different areas."

Sooliman said similar efforts are underway in Mpumalanga, which has also been battered by heavy rains.

"Government officials with their teams made impossible roads possible, found alternative roads that made it easy for Gift of the Givers to deliver 800 food parcels, blankets and mats to four districts in Mpumalanga within one day."