The Democratic Alliance (DA) has proposed stronger policies to mitigate the impact of disasters in municipalities nationwide, this is among the 43 new policies proposed by the party on day two of its national congress in Johannesburg, where new leadership will also be elected.
The DA aims to establish a civil protection mechanism to safeguard municipalities from natural disasters, following the devastating Durban floods in April 2022 that claimed over 400 lives and displaced more than 40,000 people.
DA member Traverse Le Goff expressed concern about other disasters such as wildfires and the decreasing disaster management capacity at local government. The party recognizes that while the Disaster Management Act enables the national government to provide emergency funds and resources, municipalities cannot depend on the African National Congress-led government for support.
Ashor Sarupen of the DA noted that there is no money for disaster relief as the national government’s contingency reserve is regularly depleted for bailouts of struggling state-owned enterprises. The DA’s resolution highlights the need for proactive disaster management measures in municipalities to ensure swift response and support during emergencies.
The party believes that establishing a civil protection mechanism is vital for protecting communities from natural disasters and preventing loss of life and property damage. The resolution also calls for increased disaster management capacity at the local government level to ensure effective response and recovery efforts in the face of disasters.