Question NW1967 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance andTraditional Affairs
12 October 2020 - NW1967
Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance andTraditional Affairs
On what facts did she rely to take the decision to end drought relief, considering that someareas of the Republic are still drought-stricken and in great need of the relief assistance; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter. NW2521E
Reply:
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) did not take a decision to end drought relief. The national state of disaster lapsed on 04 July 2020 according to its legislated timeframe. Kindly note that the decision not to extend the state of disaster was informed by the fact that pockets of drought that still exist in some parts of the country can be managed through existing legislation and contingency arrangements.
It is important to indicate that implementation of drought relief measures by relevant organs of state is currently underway with funding and resources from disaster grants within COGTA and budgets and grants of line-function organs of state to address drought and water scarcity conditions.
It is however important to note that disaster management cannot solely be achieved through disaster relief measures but the underpinning principle is disaster risk reduction measures which require of all relevant role players to prepare and implement Disaster Management Plans to mitigate the effects of any disaster including drought and water scarcity conditions. As such the declaration of a state of disaster is only an interim interventionist measure which cannot serve as a mainstay for managing disaster risks.
End.