Held at the Union Buildings
Pretoria
23 January 2011
Good morning ladies and gentlemen,
We live, today, in a world gradually being confronted with the growing effects of climate change. The occurrence of natural disasters is increasingly becoming more frequent and their effects more severe, in ways analogous to what the world continues to witness in other parts of the southern hemisphere, most notably in Brazil and Australia.
Since December last year, our country continues to experience heavy and recurrent rain fall, as a result of which damage of significant proportions has been caused to property and infrastructure, in various parts of the country, especially in the Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. Varying degrees of incidents of tornadoes, lightning-strikes, hailstorm, veld fires and severe drought are also reported in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and the Western Cape provinces. To date, in the present day materialistic world, media statements and reports, except in the case of fatalities, have predominantly focused on the impact of the natural disasters on property, infrastructure and certain sectors of the economy, yet these disasters are occasioned by devastating effects on the human condition of many poor communities, households and individuals. Many of these have been displaced, with countless of them having lost their only possessions. Properly construed, the situation calls for a concrete humanitarian response. Without sounding alarmist, I would like to highlight the fact that we are in a race against time to respond to the humanitarian needs of those affected.
Ladies and gentlemen, experience has taught us that one important lesson in disaster management is humanitarian aid, which is aimed at alleviating the suffering and protecting human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies. It is often the poorest communities, households and individuals who are worst affected by disasters. Consequently, as a lead department in the provision of care and support services to improve the human condition, the Department of Social Development has identified its immediate priority as being to enable all those affected to survive the calamities accompanying these disasters. In this regard, recognizing that government cannot venture to do all this alone, the Minister of Social Development, yesterday, convened a meeting with some of its regular social partners to develop a concerted response. The meeting was attended by the South African Council of Churches, Tiger Brands, Nestle South Africa, FoodBank South Africa, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, the South African Older Persons Forum, the Gift of the Givers and the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa and others.
The UN humanitarian resolution, Resolution 46/182 of 1991 states: "Each State has the responsibility first and foremost to take care of the victims of natural disasters and other emergencies occurring on its territory. Hence, the affected State has the primary role in the initiation, organization, coordination, and implementation of humanitarian assistance within its territory". Following these natural disasters, our government has expressed concern regarding the insufficiency of access to adequate shelter or basic water, sanitation, or hygiene services by the affected communities.
Believing that even the loss of a single life is enough to cause indignation, I would like to assure all South Africans that our government will continue to do all in its powers to mitigate the risks of any further loss of life. I would also like to ensure all South Africans that this government and its social partners are committed to those most vulnerable in times of crisis, particularly women, older persons and children. To this extent we have, as Social Development already provided social relief of distress to hundreds of people and will continue to do so as people approach our offices at the South African Social Security Agency and provincial offices. Business and civil society too have thus far come to the aid of thousands of those in distress. Our government is committed to working with all its social partners to alleviate the effects of the disasters on the human condition.
As part of its total response to the disasters, our government has established an Inter Ministerial Committee of the Management of the current Disasters, under the leadership of Mr Sicelo Shiceka, the Honourable Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, who has already activated the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) which continues to coordinate information on and from the affected provinces and municipalities in order to provide a full and continuous assessment of both the actual and the potential impact of the natural disasters. The IMC has mandated the Department of Social Development to coordinate the humanitarian response to the disaster.
As you all know, the various incidents which took place in seven (7) provinces and twenty eight (28) municipalities have been declared as a national disaster. Our immediate task is now to address the pressing basic needs, and of course the medium and long-term recovery needs of the affected communities, households and individuals. As one of the outcomes of yesterday's meeting, a Task Team comprising members of the Department of Social Development, the business sector, civil society and faith based organizations has been established. The primary function of this Task Team is to coordinate humanitarian assistance and to provide an opportunity for social partners to, through their projects, respond to the immediate emergency priority needs while at the same time laying the foundations for early and eventual long-term recovery of the affected communities.
In addition to government and the social partners, I urge and encourage the general members of society to give assistance, be it in cash or in-kind. I must highlight that some of the stakeholders have already been on the ground and shared with us their experiences, which sets the basis for us to work closely with them in coordinating a concerted effort at our humanitarian response. Many other good citizens ranging from corporates to civil society organisations have already expressed their desire to put their shoulder to the wheel. We are much encouraged by this show of goodwill and also take this opportunity to invite all other stakeholders and partners to also join us in solidarity to bring the necessary relief to our people. At the same time, we take the opportunity to thank those who have already joined this humane call, including social workers and volunteers who work tirelessly on the ground to help the affected victims.
In closing I would like to thank the South African media which continue to play a critical role in covering the unfolding events and informing our communities. In particular, I would like to thank those who have started mobilising and encouraging the public to contribute to the relief efforts. We would like to assure our people that government is doing everything possible to bring all role-players on board to ensure a comprehensive and result-driven relief.
I thank you
