A Qatar Airways plane landed at King Shaka International on Sunday with tonnes of aid including tents, water, foodstuff, clothing, and medical supplies. 

Pandor, Cooperative Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the KZN provincial leadership all welcomed the assistance following the devastating floods.

"We are particularly excited that a team will be in KZN for just over two weeks," said Pandor.

"This is important, so it's not just bringing an aeroplane load of humanitarian aid its also carrying out an assessment of needs on the grounds, what's further that might be needed by the state of Qatar."

Qatar's Ambassador to South Africa Tariq Ali FarajAl-Ansari said the donation is meant to also strengthen relations between the two nations. 

"This is a token of friendship from the people of the government of the State of Qatar. We can't forget that South Africa has supported Qatar in other times of hardship." 

"No country is resilient to resist climate change but these things happen. I’m sure that South Africa is strong and will be able to overcome this,” he said.

ECR