Pretoria - Millions of rand was needed for flood relief as provinces were running “dry”, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini said on Sunday.
More than R20-million had been used so far and based on figures contained in a preliminary report, another R20-million was needed, she told media in Pretoria.
At least 5 000 families affected by floods were still in need of assistance, she said.
“More and more provinces are sending in their requests.”
The social distress budget amounted to R143-million and there was an indication that some provinces were running out of money, she said.
Although some media claimed the flood damage exceeded R120-billion, the department said credible figures would be known once the water subsided.
In terms of relief, she said the department wanted to focus more on the Northern Cape because it did not have the means to help victims.
“They are dry.”
Northern Cape emergency personnel evacuated residents from their homes on Saturday due to rising water levels.
One person died and nine others were rescued in the Postmasburg area.
A total of seven provinces were hit by floods in recent weeks and 28 municipalities were declared national disasters.
Preliminary figures revealed that over 100 people were killed.
Dlamini said a report on the fatalities, injuries, household and infrastructural damage would be made available to each province.
The disaster management centre was still collecting information.
The health department was on high alert in the event of a disease outbreak like cholera.
Dlamini said South Africa was in a race against time to respond to the humanitarian needs of those affected by floods.
She said her department's immediate priority was to make services available to those affected by floods - but warned that government could not do it alone.
The department had already provided social relief to hundreds of people and the public was encouraged to lend a helping hand in cash or kind.
“Believing that even a single loss of life is enough to cause indignation, I would like to assure all South Africans that our government will continue to do all in its power to mitigate the risk of any further loss of life.”
A task team, to co-ordinate humanitarian assistance, was established during Saturday's meeting which was attended by the FoodBank, Nestle, Gift of the Givers, the Methodist Church of South Africa and others. - Sapa