Alexandra Township Fire Disaster

19 May 2012
Alexandra Township Fire Disaster
AIF responds to disaster managment's call for assistance in Alexandra
19 May 2012On Sunday, 20 May 2012, the Alexandra Township which is prone to such disasters, was once again affected. Many shacks were burnt to the ground and many families displaced due to the fire. The AL IMDAAD FOUNDATION was informed of the incident by disaster management officials in the early hours of the morning. AIF teams began facilitating relief items to the affected victims and were on hand to assist Disaster Management personnel from the area. A successful relief operation was carried out for the victims.
Fire disasters are a common phenomenon in South Africa especially during the winter season. A major contributing factor towards this phenomenon is that South Africa has a large number of informal settlements with shacks erected close to one another. These dwellings lack basic services such as electricity, forcing its inhabitants to resort to the use of paraffin heaters, lamps and stoves. Many a times, the incorrect use of these paraffin stoves are regarded as the cause of fatal shack fires in South Africa. The Alexandra Township in Johannesburg is one of the many townships which are prone to such disasters.