Following a level 6 weather warning, areas within Eastern Cape were battered by gale force winds, localised flooding and heavy snowfall on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. Gift of the Givers teams were initially alerted to affected areas and communities by the Amathole District Disaster Management Team, Mnquma Local Municipality and community leaders. Residents in certain areas had to be evacuated and community halls made available to house the displaced.
The disaster remains a growing concern, however, Gift of the Givers has availed its teams by undertaking site assessments and providing urgent humanitarian aid. Approximately 6200 residents have been affected, with some 1200 being evacuated from their homes in Butterworth. Damaged infrastructure has made movement between affected zones difficult.
Unfortunately, weather patterns further intensified across the province with the OR Tambo District Municipality being placed under a level 9 weather warning, as well as Chris Hani District Municipality, Amathole District Municipality and Joe Qabi District Municipality. Major roads to Mthatha had to be closed off due to flash flooding and snow. As of 13 June 2025, 78 fatalities have been recorded.
Gift of the Givers activated members of its search and rescue teams to Mthatha to assist with recovery efforts. Teams have also been on the ground providing hot meals, blankets and fruits to those staying in community halls. In collaboration with the Mnquma Local Municipality, Gift of the Givers team has provided relief packages comprising toiletries, diapers, cereal and hot meals. Additionally, daily hot meals are being provided to 1500 recipients across three community halls in Butterworth.
Disaster response efforts are being supported by the Eastern Cape Police (SAPS), district and local municipalities, provincial and district disaster risk management teams who have offered their time and resources to the task team. Relief interventions will remain continuous and expand into more long-term support to help communities regroup, regather and rebuild.
To contribute towards the organisation’s disaster and relief interventions in the Eastern Cape, please use the following banking details:
Gift of the Givers
Standard Bank
Branch: Pietermaritzburg
Account number: 052137228
Branch code: 057525
Reference: “EC Floods”
