NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Disaster Management Bill21 of 2002, was promulgated as the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002,published in Government Gazette 24252 of 15 January 2003, and will come into operation on a date to be proclaimed. The Billhas important implications for all organizations in both the public and the private sector and for non-governmental organizations.
Significantly, the Bill calls for a countrywide, integrated system of public and private sector disaster management through the development of disaster management centres at the municipal, provincial and national government levels.
It sets out the establishment of a National Disaster Management Centre falling under the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Mr. Sydney Mufumadi, “to promote an integrated and coordinated system of disaster management, with special emphasis on prevention and mitigation, by national, provincial and municipal organs of state, statutory functionaries, other role players involved in disaster management and communities”.
The newly created National Centre will specialize in issues concerning disasters and disaster management, will monitor whether the organs of state and statutory functionaries comply with this Bill as well as whether any progress with post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation has been made, and will act as a repository of, and conduit for, information concerning disasters, impending disasters and disaster management.
It may also act as an advisory and consultative body on issues concerning disasters and disaster management to:
Organs of state and statutory functionaries;
The private sector and non-governmental organizations;
Communities and individuals; and
Other governments and institutions in southern Africa.
Another key responsibility will be to make recommendations regarding the funding of disaster management and initiating and facilitating efforts to make sure such funding is available.
From a human resources context the National Centre will also be charged with promoting the recruitment, training and participation of volunteers in disaster management, including capacity building and training programmes in schools and tertiary institutions and promoting research into all aspects of disaster management.
As one of its first tasks, the National Centre will be developing and monitoring a directory of institutional role-players that are or should be involved in disaster management in southern Africa, while at the same time establishing communication links with foreign management agencies performing similar functions to itself.
The electronic database developed by the National Centre will contain extensive information not only on where and how disasters have occurred in southern Africa, but also on a whole host of management issues including research and training facilities for disaster management disciplines. The database will be electronically accessible to everyone free of charge.
Whilst in the past each organization has developed its own disaster management plan (and many have no plans in place to cope with a disaster), the National Centre will be tasked to assist in coordinating the implementation of these plans and strategies by the respective organs of state and other role-players. Furthermore, these will be integrated with national, provincial and municipal development plans, programmes and initiatives.
What is of particular interest is the new Bill specifically creates a disaster management framework at provincial and municipal levels, which includes setting up disaster management centres and advisory forums. Central to the work of both these bodies, however, is the preparation of a disaster management plan setting out:
The way in which the concept and principles of disaster management are to be applied in its functional area;
Its role and responsibilities in terms of the national, provincial or municipal disaster management framework;
Its role and responsibilities regarding emergency response and post disaster recovery and rehabilitation;
Its capacity to fulfil its role and responsibilities;
Particulars of its disaster management strategies; and
Contingency strategies and emergency procedures in the event of disaster, including measures to finance those strategies.
Thus each province is now charged with the responsibility of preparing a disaster management plan for the province as a whole, coordinating and aligning the implementation of its plans with those of other organizations of state and multinational role-players and regularly reviewing and updating its plan.
Likewise each metropolitan and each district municipality will be called upon to establish and implement a framework for disaster management in their municipalities aimed at ensuring an integrated and uniform approach to disaster management in their respective areas.
With regard to specially created disaster management advisory forums at both provincial and municipal levels, representatives will be drawn from a variety of sources ranging from government representation, organized business and labour, and experts in disaster management.
It is envisaged that both the municipal and provincial disaster management centres will work closely with the National Centre by identifying and establishing communication links with disaster management role players in their respective areas, developing and maintaining a national disaster management electronic data base, reviewing existing plans and strategies and integrating the concept and principles of disaster management with development plans and programmes.
Annual reports will be prepared at each level and submitted at the municipal level to municipal councils, at the provincial level to the MEC and provincial legislatures, and at national level to the Minister. He in turn will have to submit his report to Parliament within 30 days after receipt of a combined report from the National Centre.
The Bill is available in full on the Internet at
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