Disaster Risk Management
What do I need to know?
What does it entail?
The process of disaster declaration
Tips and best practice
Key contacts
Mandating legislation
Disaster Recovery Guidelines issued by WCDOA
Key definitions
Who is responsible for Disaster Risk Management from a Government perspective?
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) has a sub programme under Sustainable Resource Management (SRM) called
Agricultural Disaster Risk Management (ADRM), which focuses on disaster risk management. ADRM aims
to lessen the impact of natural hazards and related risks through an integrated and coordinated approach.
Being a semi-arid region with a lack of sufficient water as the most significant resource constraint, the Western Cape knows the devastating effect that droughts and floods may have on agricultural development. For the most part, disasters that have been declared in the province have been droughts or floods. The purpose of the legislative framework for Disaster Risk Management is therefore to provide an integrated and co-ordinated approach to preventing and reducing the risk of disasters, mitigating the severity of disasters, emergency preparedness, rapid response and post-disaster recovery.
But you may want to ask - how can this benefit me?
If you are a producer operating in a disaster stricken region,
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you can help to escalate the disaster declaration process
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you may be eligible for relief funds and need to understand the larger process that will be followed
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you need to know who to contact
We want to answer a few of your questions and improve your general understanding of what disaster management entails.
Mandating legislation
Disaster Management Act, No. 57 of
2002 (DMA)
Disaster Management Amendment Act, No. 16 of 2015
National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) of 2005
Key definitions to understand in the context of Disaster Risk Management
Climate change
A change in the state of the climate that can be identified by the changes in the variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer.
Disaster
A progressive or sudden, widespread or localised, natural or human-caused occurrence which (a) causes or threatens to cause (i) death, injury or disease; (ii) damage to property, infrastructure or the environment; or (iii) significant disruption of the life of a community; and (b) is of a magnitude that exceeds the ability of those affected by the disaster to cope with its effects using only their own resources.
Disaster management
A continuous and integrated multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary process of planning and implementation of m easures aimed at preventing or reducing the risk of disasters, mitigating the severity or consequences of disasters, emergency preparedness, a rapid response to disasters and post disaster recovery.
Response in relation to disaster
Measures taken during or immediately after a disaster in order to bring relief to people and communities affected by the disaster.
The degree to which an individual, a household, a community or an area may be adversely affected by a disaster.
Vulnerability
the process
Occurrence of disaster
Local Farmers Association notified
Western Cape Dept of Agriculture notified
Sub-programme:
Agricultural Disaster Risk Management
Task team appointed for field assessments
Provincial Disaster Management Centre
to classify disaster as
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Local
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Provincial
(As per DMA Section 23)
Provincial Cabinet (needs to support classification)
disprove
approve
10 working days
Agri Western Cape notified
Municipal Manager to sign report
Every 4 - 6 weeks
escalate
National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC)
Damage verification
Professional Service Provider (PSP) appointed via tender
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Verify damage
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Recommend level of relief
Damage survey forms
Made available in disaster stricken area for farmers to complete
National Treasury
Funds transferred to WCDoA for distribution, as animal feed, coupons or pay back upon proof of invoice
Indefinite timeline, depending on many factors