Calls for counselling and support to be provided to KwaZulu-Natal families

There are growing calls for counselling and support to be provided for families that have lost their loved ones in the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal.

This is as religious leaders come together in Durban for a provincial day of prayer following the floods which have killed at least 448 people.

More than 60 others are still unaccounted for.

Speaking at the prayer service, Reverend Vusi Dube said it was important for religious leaders to be on the ground where communities needed them most.

“What is more important for us as religious leaders again, we are going to go to those places give counselling to talk to those people because they are in tears. When you begin to talk with them they break down in tears because they don’t know from here where to start, so we’re very glad that the premier has called us to bring hope to the people of KwaZulu-Natal just to say we’re here as government, we are here to hear their cries.”

In the video below, Dube says the families are struggling to get access to needs such as water:  

Giving respect to those who died 

In a statement, the provincial government says the prayer is a mark of respect for all victims who lost their lives. The prayer is to show solidarity with the bereaved families and to pray for those who have died.

Several families continue to search for loved ones who were swept away by mudslides and heavy rains.

Search and recovery operations are ongoing.

Pictures of the damage caused by the floods: