Pretoria - Despite the current heavy rainfall and subsequent floods in many parts of the country, there have been no reports of any outbreaks of diseases. But, the Department of Health is watching the situation closely.
Health Department spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said no reports have been received from the provinces, but the department is monitoring the situation.
"No reports just yet, but we are on the alert to respond to any form of outbreak, especially with cholera," Hadebe said on Monday.
Since December last year, the country continues to experience heavy and recurrent rainfalls, which has resulted in damaged property and infrastructure in various parts of the country.
Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces are the hardest hit provinces, with 88 deaths being reported in KwaZulu-Natal, out of more than 100 deaths reported nationally.
In an attempt to provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities, at the weekend, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini held a meeting with some of the department's social partners to develop a concerted response.
The meeting attended by business sector, civil society and faith based organisations led to the formation of a task team, which will primarily coordinate humanitarian assistance to people across the country.
Dlamini said that R20 million was needed to assist the victims. According to preliminary numbers, over 20 000 people have been directly affected.
Absa has also announced that it would donate R1 million to assist government in providing relief to flood victims.
