Doctors without Borders: Water, sanitation, Covid crises could collide in KZN
Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is expected in eThekwini on Saturday to visit various shelters housing flood victims.
Two weeks after the devastating floods in the province, leading to the death of more than 400 people, thousands are still being housed in shelters.
Doctors without Borders' Sean Christie says many shelters have no water, electricity, or proper sanitation.
In addition, very few people wear masks in shelters.
On Friday Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the country is entering the fifth wave of Covid-19 infections earlier than expected.
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"These shelters are overcrowded rally without any prospect of social distancing," notes Christie.
"We are concerned because we see mainly cold and flu symptoms, possibly indicative of Covid breaking out in these shelters. So there is the risk of airborne diseases as well as waterborne currently."
He adds that sentiments, decrying the lack of government coordination in disaster relief efforts, has been proved by their experiences on ground level.
"The coordination needs to improve and I think all authorities will acknowledge this quite happily," he says.
Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was expected in eThekwini on Saturday, where she will visit some of the shelters housing flood victims.
