On Friday 19 September 2014 at approximately 07h30 a fire broke out at the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement in Clare Estate, Durban. The Al-Ihsan Relief Team (AIR) of Darul Ihsan Centre was swiftly on site to assess the damage and evaluate the disaster. The fire was huge and damage was extensive. Upon inspection of the disaster site metal sheets were strewn all over and people were trying to salvage whatever they could from the disaster. Fortunately there were no fatalities, however a number of people were taken to hospital for burns and other injuries. The residents of the settlement warmly welcomed our team members.

The AIR team were fortunate to meet Mr Sifiso Mhlongo from Ethekweni Disaster Management division who briefed the Darul Ihsan members about the fire and made an urgent plea for meals to be arranged for the affected people. AIR committed to providing the meals for about 400 people the next day.

On Saturday morning, 20 September, the AIR team arranged to provide over 400 hot meals to the victims at the settlement . The meals were neatly packed into food containers and distributed by the AIR team of enthusiastic volunteers and Ulama. The distribution was witnessed by Mr Sifiso Mhlongo and ward councillors Sunny and Nozuko who actively participated in distributing the meals.

Initially it was believed that 223 homes were destroyed by the inferno, but the number had escalated to 375 burnt homes within 24 hours.

The local officials and disaster victims were profuse in their thanks and appreciation for the efforts taken by AIR to bring some much needed relief in their time of difficulty.

Al Ihsan Relief Team – Darul Ihsan Centre

NB. The cost of a meal is approximately R10.00 - Public donations for this worthy cause are most welcome.Contact Darul Ihsan Centre on 031 577 7868 or visit www.darulihsan.com for more details.

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