Gift of the Givers, South Africa’s largest disaster relief non-governmental organization, has deployed emergency response teams to several informal settlements across the Western Cape following a series of devastating fires that left scores of people homeless and without basic necessities. The organization is currently active in the Silvertown informal settlement in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, and in Thembalethu, George, where fires destroyed multiple homes and displaced numerous families over the weekend.
The fires, which broke out in quick succession, have caused significant damage in already vulnerable communities where many residents live in densely packed, makeshift housing. Strong winds and dry conditions fueled the rapid spread of the flames, overwhelming local efforts to contain them and forcing residents to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs. In both Khayelitsha and Thembalethu, emergency services responded swiftly but were limited by the challenging terrain and lack of formal infrastructure, which often hampers firefighting operations in informal settlements.
Gift of the Givers teams arrived on the ground shortly after the blazes were brought under control and immediately began distributing emergency aid. The assistance includes hot meals, bottled water, hygiene packs, blankets, mattresses, and baby care items. The NGO also began setting up temporary shelter solutions for those whose homes were completely destroyed, while assessing the full scale of need in coordination with local disaster management agencies.
According to the organization’s founder, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, the humanitarian situation in the affected areas is urgent. In a statement, he emphasized the need for swift and coordinated action, pointing out that the victims are among South Africa’s most economically vulnerable. Many residents of Silvertown and Thembalethu rely on informal jobs or social grants and have now lost not only their homes but also critical documents, school supplies, and personal possessions.
Gift of the Givers has called on the public and the private sector to assist in its efforts by donating food, clothing, construction materials, and funds to support long-term rebuilding initiatives. The organization has a history of rapid and effective responses to disasters across South Africa and the broader region, and it remains a trusted partner for many communities and local governments in times of crisis.
Residents of both Khayelitsha and Thembalethu have expressed their gratitude for the swift arrival of aid, even as they struggle to come to terms with the loss. Community members are now working with the NGO and local authorities to identify the most vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, children, and people with disabilities, to ensure they receive priority assistance.
Local officials have also begun the process of registering affected households for government assistance, while emergency shelter sites are being coordinated to house those with nowhere else to go. In the long term, the City of Cape Town and the George Municipality face mounting pressure to address the recurring risk of fires in informal settlements. Poor access to water, narrow pathways, illegal electrical connections, and overcrowded conditions have long made these communities highly susceptible to such disasters.
This latest incident serves as a grim reminder of the structural challenges facing informal settlements across South Africa. As rebuilding efforts begin, there are growing calls from civil society groups and urban development experts for comprehensive solutions, including access to safer housing, improved infrastructure, and formal disaster preparedness programs.
In the meantime, organizations like Gift of the Givers continue to fill a crucial gap, providing life-saving support when disaster strikes and helping vulnerable communities navigate the aftermath. The coming days will be critical as emergency services, NGOs, and local leaders work together to stabilize the situation and begin the long road to recovery for those impacted by the fires in Khayelitsha and Thembalethu.
