SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - An initiative to rebuild Knysna from its ashes has been launched from the office of the Western Cape Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde.

Two officials of Eden District Municipality, manager of Disaster Management Gerhard Otto and project manager at the Eden Project Management Unit Eduard Lotz, form part of the core team. The committee is chaired by Dr Hildegarde Fast.

Lotz made a presentation of the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative to Eden Council on Monday 31 July at a Special Council Meeting. The initiative's five main workstreams include humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, environmental management, business support and development and infrastructure rehabilitation.

"It's been 55 days, it's time to start doing something," said Lotz. "What's happened in Knysna is truly heartbreaking." The initiative forms part of the projects rolled out and funded by the Western Cape government. Lotz emphasised, however, that help from the private sector is needed to rebuild the town.

For more information on the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative, visit www.gardenrouterebuild.co.za or www.facebook.co/gardenrouterebuild or follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/grrebuild.

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