Chairperson, I am rising to make a statement on behalf of the Northern Province in relation to the heavy rains and floods that caused damage and left most areas dilapidated.
The most affected area in our province is the northern region. A number of houses have collapsed, leaving people injured, homeless and dead. More than 1 000 km of the provincial roads have become inaccessible, leaving the communities with no access to the outside world and no schooling in areas where bridges have been washed away. Irrigation schemes in large tracts of land have been swept away.
Patients from Blouberg Hospital have been evacuated and readmitted at Helena Franz Hospital. Letaba and Kgapane Hospitals experienced a shortage of water due to water pipes which were clogged with mud. Matikwane, Sekororo, Siloam and Tshilidzini Hospitals experienced electricity problems. However, I would like to tell the House that these problems have been solved. Thohoyandou is experiencing communications problems, because telephone and electrical wires were washed away.
We therefore call for prioritisation in respect of reconstructing and developing the sensitive areas of the affected infrastructure. For example, health and welfare matters should be attended to as a matter of urgency with the provision of shelter and clothing. We are thankful that this is being done in most affected areas in the provinces. We are also calling for the prevention of water-borne diseases such as typhoid, malaria, cholera and others to be embarked upon with immediate effect, and that communities be supplied with fresh water.
In conclusion, we would like to thank the Government for declaring our province and other areas disaster areas. We would also like to thank the stakeholders and individuals who assisted and are still assisting in disaster-stricken communities. We are calling for substantial funding in order to redress the backlog that has been caused by this disaster. [Applause.]