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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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 

10. 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;

11. 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.

12. 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.