Disaster management needs sharpening up
STORY: Ronelle Ramsamy
The human cost of flood and fire disasters could be radically reduced if communities were given adequate time to escape from areas of greatest risk. This need for early warning systems in rural areas was one of the most urgent issues raised at the uThungulu District Disaster Management Advisory Forum (DMAF) meeting held in Empangeni. District Disaster Manager, Sibonisile Mokoena, said the forum should work via the District House of Traditional Leaders and ward committees to establish a database of contact persons. These people could be sent an SMS warning when floods or fire-risk weather is predicted, which would make it easier and quicker to evacuate rural communities who are at risk of perishing. The two-day workshop aimed to assist forum members from the six local municipalities to keep abreast of developments in their field and better execute their duties. ‘There are factors that must be in place for the Forum to make in-roads, like the establishment of clear terms of reference, reporting lines and communication, and continuous consultation to create a safer and risk-free environment for our communities,’ said uThungulu District Mayor, Stan Larkan. ‘We have experienced major disasters in this region in the past and we have lost hundreds of innocent lives in storms, fires and road accidents. ‘We must commit ourselves to working together to make the uThungulu district a safer place to live in. Municipal Manager BB Biyela said one of the most regrettable causes of disaster in the district was the tendency of communities to build homes below flood lines and on flood plains. ‘When a flood comes, it is an act of nature, but we can reduce the human cost by human preventative action,’ said Biyela. He urged municipalities to engage with their residents and raise awareness to prevent unnecessary destruction of homes.
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