Rebuilding underway along Garden Route
Approvals for reconstruction efforts in the Garden Route areas affected by the recent fires are being fast-tracked with the hope that renewal will bring stability to a heavy-hit economy.
Government officials in economic and housing developments met with officials from the various towns to discuss the progress of rebuilding.
The Knysna economy, for one, has been hard-hit with many small business owners having lost both their business property and their residential property in the blaze, while the tourism industry has maintained a presence, albeit far from its usual numbers due to the destruction of over 30 guest houses.
The Garden Route Rebuild Initiative involves humanitarian relief, as well as rehabilitation and reconstruction. Efforts will include trauma counselling and social support which will be made available later this week when a Thusong Mobile will be stationed at the Knysna Town Hall.
Residents who’ve lost personal documents in the fire will be able to access government services from Home Affairs, the Department of Labour and Sassa.
With preliminary damage assessments already compiled the next step for the area is a cohesive action plan for restarting the area’s activities.