SA 10 years behind in disaster control policy

SOUTH AFRICA may not be prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or tsunamis but some experts in the disaster management industry fear the worse could happen if the country does not shape up its preparation plans urgently.

The increase in flooding and drought cases in some parts of the country as a result of erratic weather patterns brought about by climate change, the Knysna fires, and recently the fire at the Bank of Lisbon building are some talking points which have left many asking if the country has enough capacity and resources to manage or reduce the risk of disasters.

“If we are hit by an earthquake tomorrow, we are in big trouble,” outgoing president of the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa Bafana Mazibuko, said yesterday.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the annual Disaster Management Conference held in Ekurhuleni.

He said that despite the Disaster Management Act of 2002 calling for an integrated and co-ordinated disaster risk management policy, there was still a disjoint between government and the institutions that have been mandated to provide aid.

“We are 10 years behind in terms of establishing concrete disaster management policies. We don’t have a proper risk assessment policy and if you look at the capacity of the institutions that are meant to deal with these disasters they are not aligned to do what the Act requires them to do,” Mazibuko said.

He also lamented the shortages in the disaster management personnel employed in the country.

“We just don’t have enough people, let alone qualified personnel. You can’t just take anyone and employ them to deal with a matter that requires thorough consideration and planning,” he said.

Treasury has set aside a “Disaster Funding” budget of R513 million for the current financial year which serves as the provincial and municipal disaster grants respectively.