Forum
1 November 2007
The MEC for Department of Local Government and Housing in Mpumalanga,
Candith MashegoâDlamini, has launched the Mpumalanga Provincial Disaster
Management Advisory Forum (PDMAF). This is a forum consisting of 44 members
representing 37 stakeholders across the disaster management spectrum in the
province.
When launching the forum, MEC Mashego-Dlamini, stated that this was part of
the department's efforts to ensure that we put in place the relevant structures
and systems to enable the province to deal adequately with disasters. "The
recent fires that ravaged the province have made it important that we do all we
can to ensure that we are ready for any possible disasters, and we should
ensure that we work together as the different stakeholders rather than working
in silos" said Mashego-Dlamini.
She further added that the setting up of the forum will be followed by the
establishment of a temporary disaster management centre in Mbombela, which will
be used whilst the province is still constructing a permanent centre which will
also be in Mbombela.
The primary purpose of the PDMAF will be to provide a mechanism and develop
a strategy for relevant stakeholders to consult one another and co-ordinate
their activities with regard to disaster risk management issues. The forum will
also give advice, monitor and make recommendations on disaster-related issues
and risk management, as well as gather critical information about the
provincial capacity to assist in disasters and to access resources. It will
also implement response management systems that must ensure a systematic
approach to the effective utilisation of facilities, personnel, equipment,
resources, procedures and communication. The forum is mandated by Section (37)
(1) of Disaster Manager Act.
Enquiries:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
1 November 2007
