Issued by the Ministry for Provincial and Local Government
15TH FEBRUARY 2000
INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT TO PRESENT AN URGENT REPORT TO CABINET ON THE CURRENT DISASTERS CAUSED BY HEAVY RAINS
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disaster Management met today to receive updated reports on the Disasters in the Northern Province, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and the North West provinces, that have been hit by heavy rains in the past two weeks. The reports were presented by senior officials that visited the affected areas last week as well as MECs from the affected provinces.
The IMC on Disaster Management noted that these floods are (in certain affected areas) the worst to ever hit our country in over 50 years. As a result the country is faced with an extra-ordinary situation which requires extra-ordinary measures to be taken by government. The meeting therefore decided that a consolidated report should be drafted immediately and urgently presented to Cabinet tomorrow on 16 February.
The report will seek to brief Cabinet as well as request decisions on the following:-
1. Costs
Cabinet will be presented with the overall estimated costs of damage to public infrastructure, private property and any other damages suffered in the affected areas.
2. Relief to affected communities
The report will also contain details of actions that have already been taken or is currently underway to bring relief to affected communities, as well as providing an indication of further relief required from Government.
3. Urgent repair to public infrastructure
The report will list public infrastructure (for example, bridges) that require immediate attention.
A team comprising of key departments as well as Provincial representatives is meeting presently to prepare this consolidated report.
The Minister would like to convey his appreciation to everyone who is contributing to bringing relief to affected communities and makes a further appeal to all individuals and organisations in the country to lend a helping hand to victims of this unfortunate natural disaster.
For more information:
Contact:
Freddy Pilusa
Acting Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082-498-2001