DURBAN - KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Sipho Hlomuka announced today that early disaster warning systems are in the pipeline for the province.
Hlomuka said in the 2022/2023 financial year the department will procure and install an integrated communication and information management system for disaster management in the Provincial Disaster Management Centre at Mkondeni.
“This is a multi-year project that will involve both hardware and software and its purpose will be to receive early disaster warnings and feed this information to other stakeholders, including municipalities,” he said.
The department also has plans to reduce disaster risk in informal settlements.
Hlomuka said they have identified veld and shack fires as one of the hazards with a disproportionately high number of incidents and fatalities in the province.
“These incidents also often destroy the environment, property and affect the agricultural sector, thus affecting livelihoods and the economy. From 2022/2023 onwards, we will through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre proactively embark on a fire safety programme focused on informal settlements and rural areas,” he said.
Also in the pipeline for the province is a Disaster Management Summit to formulate watertight solutions to the challenges KZN is facing as a result of climate change.
“In light of the recent floods, we must embark on a serious conversation among all critical role-players to identify root causes and draft mitigation plans to avoid a repetition of the recent devastation inflicted upon our communities and infrastructure,” added Hlomuka.