A catastrophic fire has swept through the Du Noon informal settlement in the Western Cape, destroying more than 1,000 dwellings and leaving over 5,500 residents without shelter. Officials believe the inferno is the worst informal settlement fire to hit the province since the devastating Khayelitsha blaze of 2013.
Driven by fierce winds, the fire moved with such speed and intensity that ground-based firefighting teams were forced to call for aerial support, with helicopters conducting water bombing runs to prevent the total destruction of the community.
‘Refugees in Their Own Space’
Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, founder and chairperson of the humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers, described a scene of absolute devastation as residents returned from their shifts to find their homes and livelihoods reduced to ash.
“Residents returning from an honest day of hard work shrieked in disbelief, sobbing, heartbroken as they watched their life’s possessions disintegrate in front of their very eyes,” Sooliman said in a statement.
He highlighted the immense psychological trauma facing the community, noting that thousands have effectively become “refugees in their own space,” battling intense anxiety and a profound sense of loss.
Humanitarian Intervention
Gift of the Givers mobilized a massive relief effort as soon as the fire broke out, providing logistical support to the first responders and immediate sustenance to the victims.
- First Night Support: 3,000 displaced residents and 220 emergency personnel were fed on the first night.
- Ongoing Relief: By the following morning, breakfast was provided to 3,500 people. The organization has committed to providing lunch and supper for the foreseeable future.
- Responder Care: Teams provided water, energy drinks, and essential kits to the firefighters, disaster management teams, and SAPS members working under extreme conditions.
A Call for National ‘Ubuntu’
Dr. Sooliman has appealed to all sectors of South African society—government, corporate, and private—to assist in the recovery and rebuilding of Du Noon.
“The spirit of our South African Ubuntu certainly has to triumph as we request all tiers of government, corporates and the public to support the development of Du Noon materially and financially,” he urged.
Urgently Needed Items:
- Building materials
- Clothing and linen
- Non-perishable food items
- Hygiene kits and sanitary pads
- School uniforms and stationery
- Diapers
How to Help: Donations can be delivered to the Gift of the Givers permanent office at Cavendish Mall, or financial contributions can be made directly to the organization to fund the ongoing relief operations.
As of today, authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage while humanitarian efforts intensify to manage the burgeoning displacement crisis.
Source: IOL
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