A meeting called by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) with the Provincial disaster management counterparts and sector departments which have a key role in the management of the current disaster situation has resolved to activate a national disaster joint operations centre to better coordinate government interventions in the current spate of natural disasters.
The activation of the provincial and national disaster joint operations centres will help in standardising reporting protocols to the NDMC, improve coordination of government interventions across the three spheres of government and streamline communication in relation to the disasters.
Provincial disaster joint operations centres are in the process of being set up, while in other provinces the centres are up and running already.
Through the reports presented at the meeting and further assessments done by the provinces, the number of fatalities currently recorded nationally have sadly increased to 70 with the highest recorded in KwaZulu-Natal at 40 and 21 from the Eastern Cape. Government expresses its deepest condolences to families who have lost loved ones through incidents of natural disasters, including flooding.
The incidents in the reports covered a range of natural disasters from December 2010 and included floods, lightning and thunderstorms.
The number of displaced and affected households as reported in the meeting now stands at 8 400, with government support having been made up of providing temporary accommodation in public infrastructure and tents, food parcels and counselling. Reports are still awaited from Gauteng, Limpopo and the Northern Cape.
This extraordinary meeting of the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) took place as a follow-up to the meetings that were held by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) which was activated by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka, on Friday, 14 January 2011 to co-ordinate government support and management of the disasters in the country. The IDC provides technical support to the IMC.
Reports from the Department of Water Affairs indicate that dam levels in the country continue to be monitored in conjunction with the South African Weather Services’ rain forecast and alerts are being issued to the public at large.
The department further said the heavy rainfall impact on the flow of acid-mine drainage but the department is monitoring the situation closely.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has issued a precautionary alert to farmers on the handling of the outbreak of vector borne livestock diseases, particularly the occurrence of Rift Valley fever. Preventative measures such as vaccination and vector control are emphasised to ensure the health of livestock.
Government calls on community development workers (CDWs) and communities to report incidents to their municipal and provincial disaster management centres. Communities are again encouraged to listen to the local media for weather and emergency information issued by disaster management and emergency services.
Organisations and private companies that wish to contribute to government’s efforts in responding to the disasters and rebuild the disrupted lives and damaged infrastructure are urged to make financial contributions to a Disaster Relief Fund government has established in partnership with the South African Red Cross Society. The account number is:
Bank: Standard Bank
Account name: The South African Red Cross Society
Account number: 070 822 808
Branch: Thibault Square
Branch code: 020-909
Government has applauded the initiative shown by the private sector with offers of contributions towards the rebuilding and rehabilitation process.
Source: Department for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
