South Africa has released emergency funding after more than 400 people were killed in flash floods

By Rogan Ward

DurbanApr. 15 – South African authorities release emergency funds on Friday. Nearly 400 people have been killed along the coast to help tens of thousands of people who were left without shelter, water and electricity as houses and roads were swept away in heavy flooding.

Floods in KwaZulu-Natal province have cut off power lines, water services and operations in one of Africa’s busiest ports. The death toll rose to 395 on Friday from 341 in the previous estimate, the state broadcaster said. SABC.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana told the Newsroom Africa television station that after the province was declared a buffer zone, immediate emergency assistance of 1 billion rand ($ 68.3 million) would be available for immediate use.

Local authorities have estimated the damage at billions of rupees.

“We are still in the emergency phase. We need to act quickly on this matter,” Kodongwana said. “The second phase is going to be recovery and repair.”

Local television stations showed volunteers cleaning plastic containers, bamboo piles and driftwood from Durban Beach. On other beaches, a Reuters witness said tourists took advantage of a break before the rain resumed after Friday.

Authorities say more than 40,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

Scientists believe that Africa’s southeast coast is becoming vulnerable to violent storms and floods as human emissions of heat-engine gases heat up the Indian Ocean. They expect this trend to worsen dramatically in the coming decades.

Local climate activists are calling for more investment to help communities better prepare for disasters. Several ministers arrived in Durban on Friday to assess the damage.

During a silent procession in Durban to mark the start of Easter weekend, a group of Christian worshipers laid flowers on the cross.

“There are so many reasons to lose hope now,” said Raymond Perry, director of the Christian charity Tennis Hurley Center. “Christian Message: There is hope even in the face of despair.”

($ 1 = 14.6416 Rand)