Click to edit Master subtitle style 6/7/12 Department of Cooperative Governance: National Disaster Management Centre PUBLIC HEARINGS: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHITE PAPER ON CLIMATE CHANGE : PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS 1

Click to edit Master subtitle style 6/7/12 Introduction and Background NDMC Mandate Challenges faced by the NDMC, PDMCs and Municipalities in terms of Climate Change Impacts Existing policy and legislation National Disaster Management Framework Institutional Arrangements: The IGCCC Institutional Arrangements: The NDMAF Institutional Arrangements: Regional Structures Disaster Risk Assessment Disaster Risk Reduction Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training, Education and Management Disaster Response and Recovery Conclusion Outline 2

Click to edit Master subtitle style 6/7/12 Introduction and Background The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) currently resides with the Department of Cooperative Governance. NDMC’s objective is 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, NGO’s, other relevant role-players and communities. In addition, it also focuses on emergency preparedness, early warning systems, rapid and effective response to disasters, and post-disaster recovery. NDMC in terms of NCCRWP advocating the link between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaption. Making provision in Review of Disaster Management Act for climate change adaption. 3

6/7/12 Introduction and Background (continued) The frequency of disaster incidents have drastically changed in recent years. The country has been experiencing major disasters more frequently in each season, due to climate change. Since 2002, the country has been frequently hit by disasters, more especially floods and fires and droughts in a few provinces. In January 2011, the country had for the first time, experienced a national flood disaster that affected 8 provinces except the Western Cape. Major damages affected mostly Human Settlements, Schools, Roads and Agriculture. In 2011, major veld fires were experienced in Western Cape, and some parts of Limpopo and North West. 4

6/7/12 NDMC Mandate The mandate of the NDMC is to improve coordination across the spheres of government and to ensure that provinces and municipalities, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, carry out their service delivery and development functions effectively In support of the developmental state and in the context of the National Climate Change Response White Paper, the department will: Facilitate mainstreaming of climate change into municipal development planning and programmes. Improve mechanisms on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management into planning and strategies of the three spheres of government. 5

Click to edit Master subtitle style 6/7/12 Challenges faced by the NDMC, PDMCs and Municipalities in terms of Climate Change Impacts Lack of in-depth understanding of the subject of disaster management generally. Lack of mainstreaming and integration of climate change into disaster management planning process. Inadequate disaster management capacity to deal with the increase in frequency and intensity of weather-related events associated with climate change. Lack of political will when it comes to disaster management risk reduction matters. 6

6/7/12 Existing policy and legislation The Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act no 57 of 2002) and the National Disaster Management Framework sets out a comprehensive approach to DRR & identify the roles and responsibilities of organs of state and key institutions. Resilience to climate change-related extreme events, such as heat waves, floods, droughts, wildfires and storm surges, will be an important focus for the approach to DRR and management in South Africa. 7

6/7/12 4 Key Performance Areas - Institutional Arrangements - Risk Assessment - Risk Reduction - Response and Recovery 3 Enablers -Information Management and Communication -Training, Education, Public Awareness and Research -Funding National Disaster Management Framework 8

6/7/12 The NDMC will actively participate in the IGCCC to ensure that DRR and management issues are adequately addressed in Climate Change policy and its implementation. It will also support mainstreaming DRR. The NDMC will provide guidance and advice on the various sectoral adaptation responses to ensure that DRR and management issues are addressed and included in adaptation strategies of the various sectors. Institutional Arrangements: The IGCCC 9

6/7/12 The National Disaster Management Advisory Forum (NDMAF) is a legislated structure which serves as a multi-stakeholder platform where issues of CCA and DRR are part of the agenda. It will facilitate a “coalition for action” for Disaster Risk Reduction, especially as climate change and increasing weather-related hazards add an even greater sense of urgency. The NDMAF with its technical task teams will provide clear guidance across all spheres and sectors of government for managing climate change-related risk and for ensuring that an effective communications strategy is in place for early warnings to vulnerable communities with respect to extreme weather events such as flooding and droughts. Structures are duplicated on the various spheres of government and provide an ideal institutional platform to discuss issues of climate change adaptation and DRR Institutional Arrangements: The NDMAF 1010

6/7/12 Extreme weather events often cross country borders and impact on the region as a whole. As such, a region-wide approach to disaster risk reduction and management is often needed. The NDMC will seek to collaborate and strengthen relations with neighbouring states to build regional capacity and share early warning systems with regional applications and benefits. Institutional Arrangements: Regional Structures 11

6/7/12 Disaster risk and vulnerability assessments in key sectors and across the spheres of government should be undertaken, taking into consideration the effects of climate change. This will inform the national disaster risk profile and disaster risk reduction planning priorities. Disaster Risk Assessment 12

6/7/12 The NDMC will put measures in place to strengthen preparedness for response and promote the development of Disaster Risk Management plans across the spheres and sectors of government to build climate resilience and improve the country’s ability to respond to climate linked disasters. It should take into account the potential consequences of climate change along the coast, in vulnerable rural and urban communities, particularly the increased incidence of extreme weather events. The NDMC will promote mechanisms and partnerships to mainstream DRR & CCA into integrated development planning and strategies of government and municipalities. Disaster Risk Reduction 13

6/7/12 Continue advocating for risk reduction to be a priority and pro-actively build the knowledge base and our capacity to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change, most importantly by enhancing early warning, monitoring and disaster risk management systems. This needs to be reinforced by research, capacity development, and technology development, and to respond to the needs of disaster risk reduction in the short-term, and integrated resource and development planning in the medium- and long-term. Disaster Risk Reduction (continued) 14

6/7/12 Disaster Risk Response Measures... The NDMC has strengthened its relationship with the South African Weather Services with regard to monitoring of weather patterns. It also receiving the Indian Ocean National Tsunami Warning through South African Weather Services. A local task team on early warnings is functional to update and provide information to NDMC on potential disasters. The NDMC has had bilateral discussions with sector departments to encourage development of disaster management plans to strengthen response preparedness across the spheres and sectors of government. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 15

6/7/12 Disaster Risk Response Measures The NDMC facilitates increased use of seasonal climate forecasts among the stakeholders and dissemination of information to provinces and municipalities. Aerial support resources was provided and is still been provided to areas in need. The NDMC is currently supporting provinces and municipalities with winter awareness campaigns to promote fire safety, reduction and prevention. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (continued) 16

6/7/12 Policy and Legislative Review The NDMC will strengthen the institutional and legal basis of disaster risk reduction and make strong linkages between climate change adaptation and DRR through the development and review of its policies and legislation. Resilience to climate change-related extreme events, such as heat waves, floods, droughts, wildfires and storm surges, will be an important focus for the approach to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (continued) 17

6/7/12 The NDMC is in the process of increasing its efforts in building a culture of safety and resilience through awareness programmes and strengthening capacity to support provinces and municipalities. Developing strategies to involve different stakeholders, and to raise awareness to reduce disaster risk and to make our communities safer and more resilient. Support adaptation programmes to build resilience among the most vulnerable sections of the rural population and ensure that disaster management architecture includes the provision of safety nets for rural communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Training, Education and Awareness 18

6/7/12 Effective planning and coordination of an integrated adaptation response will also require early warning and forecasting of emergencies and disasters. The NDMC will foster closer collaboration with key partners such as the Weather Services, the Department of Environmental Affairs and other sectors such as water, agriculture and forestry, health, and human settlements. Disaster Response and Recovery 19

6/7/12 Climate change impacts and responses are cross cutting in nature and the NDMC will work in colaboration with other relevant stakeholders to mainstream climate change in disaster management planning and programmes as guided by the: National Climate Change Response White Paper. Intergovernmental Committee on Climate Change (IGCCC) -Programme of Action. Durban Climate Change Adaptation Charter for Local Governments as adopted at COP17 in Durban. Understanding Risk Forum (international conference) in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) of the World Bank (2 – 6 July in Cape Town). Conclusion 20