South African President laments over Durban flood

Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa will speak to both houses of parliament on Tuesday about the floods in the KwaZulu-Natal state.

After declaring the flooding a national disaster, he is expected to describe the government’s response and any additional financing. There are still numerous areas that haven’t gotten any kind of help.

More than $63 million has already been put aside for flood relief, according to Ramaphosa, with extra cash to be approved through parliamentary processes.

The disaster relief is planned to be overseen by an ad hoc group. This comes as a technical team from the United Nations (UN) arrived in the region on Monday for a three-day tour.

The UN’s technical team in South Africa will meet with a variety of stakeholders, including the provincial disaster team and the eThekwini Municipality, to determine which regions they can assist.

The severe flooding in the KwaZulu-Natal region claimed over 300 lives, and halted economic and commercial activities in the city.

One of the continent’s largest ports in Durban, which was affected by the flooding, was shut down and reopened five days after.