FIRST MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND TAKES PLACE IN ROSEBANK

13 March 2000

The National Emergency Relief Fund held its first meeting today in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The meeting noted that the recent flood disasters in South Africa and our neighbouring countries have prompted a unity of effort both nationally and internationally by concerned individuals/countries/organisations wanting to give a helping hand to the affected communities.

The meeting noted and appreciated actions already undertaken by government, individuals, organisations, business, international donors and newspapers who have contributed generously enabling affected communities to access such basic necessities as food, clothes, blankets, alternative emergency accommodation, etc.

The meeting also noted that this Fund should be seen as a complementary Fund to similar other Funds like, the Provincial Funds established by Premiers, Funds initiated by the Private Sector and Funds in the region. The Fund will therefore ensure that it builds a viable relationship with all these existing Funds so that there is synergy and co-operation in the process of providing assistance to communities and individuals affected by disasters.

The Fund therefore resolved:

1. Follow-up meeting of the Board The Board will meet as soon as possible on their own to decide on the mode of operation to use in running this Fund
2. Administrative Support The Board will establish administrative capacity as soon as possible to ensure that the Board is able to operate as soon as possible. This will include offices and all other capacity that the board will require to operate effectively.
3. Visits The Board will as soon as possible visit areas affected by the floods to assess the damages as well as meet all stakeholders working in the affected areas.
4. Communication The Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Sydney Mufamadi and the Minister of Welfare and Population Development, Zola Skweyiya will be the contact persons between the Fund and Government.

There is excitement about the possibilities that are immediately created by the establishment of this Board. The Government has committed itself to assisting the Board of Trustees with anything possible to ensure that effective service is rendered to affected communities by the Fund.

Government is confident that the Fund will successfully ensure that all gestures of goodwill, made by individuals, organisations as well as the international community who are touched by the plight of the victims of the current floods, is given an avenue to be expressed through contributions.

For More Information Contact Freddy Pilusa, Acting Media Liaison
Officer Cell: 082 498 2001

ISSUED BY THE GCIS FOR THE MINISTRY FOR PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT