Gift of the Givers deploys flood relief teams across Western Cape

Organisation responds to distress calls from informal settlements after weekend rainfall left thousands displaced.

Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers deployed teams to flood-affected areas across the Western Cape following heavy rainfall over the weekend that caused widespread flooding in several parts of the province¹².

The organisation received numerous distress calls, particularly from informal settlements where homes were inundated¹. Spokesperson Ali Sablay said teams reached 13 areas on Monday and would expand operations to additional locations on Tuesday¹. "Our teams will mainly focus on the humanitarian side of the distribution," Sablay said, adding that more areas called for assistance during the night as rain continued into Tuesday morning¹.

Gift of the Givers provided food, care packages, blankets, and water to more than 5,000 people in affected communities on Monday². Teams continued assessments on Tuesday as they responded to further calls for help¹.

In Dunoon, resident Cynthia Alberts woke Tuesday morning to find her home flooded with muddy water carrying debris including empty chip packets and cigarette butts². She spent the morning sweeping water from her kitchen and bedroom, which sustained the worst damage². "The worst time of the year has arrived – and, once again, it's us in the townships who suffer," Alberts said².

Alberts said the flooding mirrored last year's heavy downpours that submerged her shack². Gift of the Givers assisted her with cleaning on Monday, but rising water forced her to battle the flood again in the early hours of Tuesday².

City of Cape Town teams conducted assessments and mop-up operations following the weekend rainfall². More rain was expected in parts of Cape Town on Tuesday². Authorities urged residents to remain cautious as wet weather conditions persisted¹.