An update on the disasters in the Western Cape MS ANE BRUWER ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR- GENERAL (HEAD): NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE 21 JUNE 2017

Outline of presentation Purpose Background and overview of the situation Veldfires in Eden District Support provided by national government departments A high level summary of the damages and losses associated with severe weather and veldfires from preliminary assessments National government intervention Concluding remarks

Purpose To provide briefing notes for Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs regarding the disasters in the Western Cape Province. To outline the support provided by National Departments in responding to these disasters. To outline key measures that National Departments will put in place in supporting relief, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction initiatives

Background and overview of the situation Storms and severe weather South African Weather Services (SAWS) predicted cold fronts that were experienced in the Western Cape (WC) Province. In summary, SAWS predicted the following – Intense Cold Front to affect WC; Sustained Gale Force Winds – All Coastal Areas; Very High & Rough Sea Conditions/Possible Storm Surges; Considerable Rainfall, and Snowfalls. The WC Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) disseminated early warnings to disaster management key role players and to the general public. Following engagements with the leadership of the province, a decision was made to close all schools on 07 June 2017 in order to reduce possible loss of lives and injuries as well as to reduce traffic congestion which may hamper emergency operations efforts.

Background and overview of the situation The PDMC activated its Joint Operations to monitor the effects of the severe weather and all key role players were involved in the operations. The Joint Operations Committee identified the following three incident priorities: Provide for Safety & Welfare of Public & Response Personnel; Maximise the Protection of Public Health & Welfare; and Ensure stability of Critical Infrastructure. The storm made landfall on 07 June 2017 and resulted in damages (roofs blown off, damage to informal structures, uprooted trees, damage to schools and other critical infrastructure) across the province. A total of five (5) people lost their lives due to the storms. All evacuated residents who were housed in temporary shelter have returned to their homes except in Cape Town: Hout Bay Imizamo Yethu where 70 families are still housed in temporary accommodation and receiving relief.

Background and overview of the situation Veldfires in Eden District The Knysna veldfires began the evening of June 6, 2017 and by June 07, consisted of 26 fires. These fires were fanned towards residential areas by strong winds from a cyclone to the west. The towns of Belvidere, Brendon-on-Sea, and Rheenendal were evacuated after news that a family of three passed away in the fire on June 6. Go- George Bus Service was activated to assist with evacuations. In total, 408 formal houses/ structures and 200 informal dwellings were destroyed by the veldfires in the Knysna Municipality. A further 27 buildings were destroyed in the Bitou Local Municipality. The Knysna Hospital was also evacuated and a Medical Command Post and Treatment Area was established. In total, six (6) people lost their lives as a result of veldfires and another person suffered a heart attack while running away from the fires in Knysna. Another person died as a result of these fires in Bitou Local Municipality. A Total of Seven (7) people lost their lives in the Eden District Municipality.

Background and overview of the situation Veldfires in Eden District These veldfires are regarded as one of the largest operational deployment of fire fighting resources and personnel in a single incident in South Africa’s history as shown in the table below: Currently, veldfires have been extinguished within the Eden District. Days Command Staff Fire Fighters Vehicles (Fire) Busses 7 June 48 632 60 12 8 June 49 633 62 9 June 50 650 14 10 June 84 871 79 17 11 June 88 920 78 19

Support provided by National Government Departments The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) located within the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is responsible for managing disasters in the country. COGTA and the NDMC coordinated the national response. Several meetings of the National Joint Operations and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Priority Committee on Disaster Management were convened and co-chaired by the NDMC and the SAPS to coordinate support to the WC PDMC. In summary, the NATJOINTS supported through the following: Dissemination of early warnings and regular communication to the public. NDMC held interviews with the media to provide updates as well as communicate the conditions to the public. COGTA issues media statements regularly for precautionary measures and to ensure that communities are informed; Activation of aerial resources by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) i.e. Six Oryx’s and two BK117s to support veldfire fighting efforts in the Eden District. Additional firefighting resources were also deployed by the SANDF; and Deployment of NDMC officials to support with coordination especially in the Eastern Cape areas affected by the veldfires.

SUMMARY OF DAMAGES AND LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE WEATHER AND VELDFIRES FROM PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENTS Affected Institution/ sector Damages/ Losses Estimated costs from Preliminary Assessments Department of Education Schools - 152 Hostel - 1 R129 million Department of Health Swartland Hospital Health Facilities – 25 R1.25 million Department of Agriculture Fencing, fodder R10 million Department of Environmental Affairs Nature Reserves – 2 R3 million Environment – 14 000 hectares   Department of Human Settlements Formal Houses 408 Insurance (408 - Knysna) (20 – Bitou) Informal houses (200) Department of Public Works and Transport (Roads) Road signage/ Road reserve/ surface R5 million Department of Local Government (Municipalities) Municipal infrastructure R5.7 million Estimated Total R285 950 000

National government intervention National government will assist the province through: Ongoing monitoring and support to the province regarding relief and mop-up operations. Community Works Programme (CWP) will support these operations. Damage assessments and verification by the NDMC; Support emergency repairs to critical infrastructure through NDMC grant funding; Ongoing support to humanitarian operations; Support and expedite disaster declaration and classification processes;

National government intervention National government will assist the province through: The provision of aerial support to the province for firefighting in mitigating against further risks within the province. The regular weather forecast by SAWS and the dissemination of weather updates for precautionary measures and informed decision- making by the Communities; Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) will Provide technical (engineering related) advice to the municipality and other role players; MISA will provide project management support where required, and Ongoing psycho-social support to communities, volunteers and emergency responsders.

Conclusions The coordinated and integrated response of the Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre must be commended. The NDMC will work with the WC Province to assess and verify the damages. The NDMC will support emergency repairs to critical infrastructure through its grant funding once a request has been tabled by the WC Province. All key sector departments are expected to contribute to the recovery and reconstruction initiatives through their respective funding frameworks.