In response to the recent devastating floods across South Africa, the National Treasury has disbursed R372 million through the Municipal Disaster Response Grant (MDRG) to aid affected municipalities. This financial intervention follows the Treasury’s approval of an allocation amounting to R1.844 billion for the 2023/24 financial year, aimed at mitigating the impacts of disasters in several provinces.
Heavy rains have battered parts of South Africa, particularly KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape, since April 2022, with the Western Cape experiencing severe disruptions this week, resulting in the closure of numerous schools on Monday.
Thembi Nkadimeng, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), detailed that the allocated funds are intended for urgent repairs, infrastructure rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. “The focus is to ensure access to clean, reliable water and essential government facilities for affected communities,” she articulated during a media briefing in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday.
According to Nkadimeng, 199 projects across seven provinces have been green-lighted, with an initial allocation of R372,001,000. The breakdown of projects includes 65 in KwaZulu-Natal, 36 in the Eastern Cape, 30 in the Western Cape, 29 in Free State, 19 in Mpumalanga, 18 in Limpopo, and two in the North West.
To ensure responsible usage of the funds, Nkadimeng stressed the implementation of comprehensive reporting and compliance measures. “Organs of state are mandated to submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the NDMC [National Disaster Management Centre], covering both financial and non-financial aspects of their disaster management initiatives.”
Furthermore, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), along with Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMC), the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA), and relevant sector departments, will conduct regular site visits to ensure projects adhere to quality standards.
Nkadimeng also highlighted ongoing improvements to early warning systems in partnership with the South African Weather Service, aiming for greater community engagement and transparency. She emphasized the importance of heeding early warnings to mitigate risk and safeguard lives.
Reflecting on the broader impact of disasters, including drought and COVID-19, Nkadimeng described the 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods as a historic catastrophe. These events have not only caused widespread destruction but have also fractured communities and strained infrastructure.
Despite the challenges, the Minister assured that government efforts to expedite response and recovery are ongoing. She expressed empathy for the affected communities and reassured South Africans of the government’s commitment to improving disaster response mechanisms.
“We wish to reassure all South Africans that we are committed to enhancing our systems and processes for disaster response. We recognise the critical importance of continuously improving our capabilities and mechanisms to better serve and support our communities during times of crisis,” Nkadimeng concluded
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