Temporary houses for tornado victims

2011-10-10 14:25

Johannesburg - A total of 350 temporary houses will be provided for those affected by a tornado in Duduza, the Gift of the Givers said on Monday.

"An additional 100 homes need roof repairs and renovations, which we are also assisting with," the charity's spokesperson Imtiaz Sooliman said.

Around 120 houses would be provided by noon on Monday, he said.

"Trauma counselling teams have already commenced their activities and will continue throughout this week."

The additional expenses had brought the costs of the operations in Duduza, on Gauteng's East Rand, to R5m, he said.

"Sanitary pads, disposable nappies, personal and household hygiene packs, blankets and water have been provided by us."

Sooliman thanked the companies, volunteers and donors involved.

The tornado ripped through informal settlements in Duduza last Sunday, destroying 150 houses and damaging over 600.

The Salvation Army called on the public to help.

"We are inviting South Africans to make use of the Salvation Army's SMS donation helpline which will assist us in bringing much needed help to the victims," spokesperson Piet Semeno said.

- SAPA