Social media launches “Crisis Response” for the KwaZulu-Natal flooding where lives have been lost, and homes destroyed.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – Updated sources report that up to 21 people have been killed in flooding and landslides following heavy rain across the Durban metro area. Four of those who were killed were in a house that collapsed on Ellen Rd in the Malvern area after a landslide.
An unspecified number of other people were injured in that incident, and other nearby collapses were also reported. Four people are also reportedly missing in the Malvern area. Another person was killed in a house collapse on West Rd in the Overport area. Other structures have been damaged in Chatsworth. Roads throughout the area have been damaged, and authorities have advised against travel.
The Facebook Crisis Response feature was activated early on Tuesday morning giving information on the floods and creating a space to help the South Africans in need.
“When an incident such as an earthquake, hurricane, mass shooting or building collapse occurs where people might be in danger, a global crisis reporting agency alerts Facebook.
If a lot of people in the affected area are posting about the incident, Safety Check will be activated, and those people in the area may receive a notification from Facebook to mark themselves safe. People who click the Safety Check notification will also be able to see if any of their friends are in the affected area or have marked themselves safe.”
Hundreds of South Africans are using the feature to offer clothing, bedding, food and even entire homes to those left displaced by the floods.
Donations made through the notification that appears in your newsfeed or on the Crisis page for The Flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa go to GlobalGiving. GlobalGiving uses this money to fund grants for local, reputable non-profit agencies in the impacted area. Organizations that can respond to this specific event are given priority when grants are distributed.
GlobalGiving is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in DC, London, and Shanghai and operating in more than 150 countries. They make it safe and easy to give to projects and provide local organizations with the tools, training, and support they need.
A severe weather warning remains in place and locals have been advised to stay indoors if it is safe to do so and only drive when absolutely necessary.
South Africans have also taken to social media to share photos and videos of the on-going events:
#DurbanFloods that God we safe pic.twitter.com/HWvh6qLKje
— That Cute Baby (@AmkelwaZ) April 23, 2019
Apparently this is at Umlazi H section 😟 #DurbanFloods pic.twitter.com/JE4V93OUJv
— Zulu Doll (@DumohNandi) April 23, 2019
A view of the rubble left behind after a house collapsed in Malvern. The search has been suspended for now due to dangerous conditions. Rescue teams have been working for hours. Four deaths are confirmed. #DurbanFloods
Courtesy: @rescuecare pic.twitter.com/OU2P5dHe1Y
— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) April 23, 2019
#DurbanFloods lord help us. pic.twitter.com/VOFESasTKo
— Excellence _2019 (@HlongwaneTi) April 23, 2019
#DurbanFloods – Rockview Road in Amanzimtoti pic.twitter.com/C6zXEpwCDz
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) April 23, 2019
#DurbanFloods Hatfield Rd in Reservoir Hills, Durban. This video was taken by @eNCA’s Terence Stone. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/P2DtDnwq7A
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) April 23, 2019
Staying indoors will save your life today. Roads are slippery and flooded #DurbanFloods pic.twitter.com/zZWsTbloF4
— Vincent (@Da_Vince2) April 23, 2019
Shongweni Rd down to the Castle Farmers Market. #KZNTraffic #KZNFloods
Photo Credit : Nettow pic.twitter.com/ITmAKhZj7I— ECR Traffic (@ecrtraffic) April 23, 2019
Things are bad in Toti #DurbanFloods pic.twitter.com/7JnqoEWkTf
— phat (@KMDladla25) April 23, 2019
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