PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
DISASTER RESPONSE AND MANAGEMENT PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO VELD
FIRES, DROUGHT, FLOODS AND MIGRATORY PESTS CONTROL AROUND THE COUNTRY
30 OCTOBER 2012
Presentation Outline
1. Purpose of the presentation
2. Introduction
3. Structure of Climate Change and Disaster Management
4. Policy Development and Implementation
5. Institutional Arrangement
6. Institutional Support
7. Disaster Response and Management
8. Process for Disaster Response
9. Challenges and Action
10. Conclusion
2
Purpose of the presentation
• The purpose of the presentation is to update the Portfolio Committee on
the following:
• Disaster Response and Management with regard to natural hazards (Drought,
veld fires and floods)
• Migratory pests control
3
Introduction
• The frequency and severity of natural disasters (storms, droughts, floods etc.)
have increased in recent years – World Disaster Report, 2011.
• Research and studies conducted further indicates that this might become a
regular feature with the change in climate.
• Among the three sub-sectors, Agriculture is more vulnerable to disasters due to
its sensitivity to extreme weather and climate conditions. Due to the frequency
of extreme weather and climate events in the country, the sector has moved
from one disaster to another.
• The natural disasters have a huge impact in the country particularly on the
communities, the environment as well as the economy.
4
Introduction
• Government, Private Sector and all other stakeholders have the mandate as
per Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002) and National Disaster
Management Framework of 2005 to ensure that Key Performance Areas:
institutional capacity, disaster risk assessment, disaster risk reduction and
response and recovery are in place to implement disaster risk management.
Focus is placed on disaster risk reduction.
• In compliance with the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002) and National
Disaster Management Framework of 2005 , the Department of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries has the Climate Change and Disaster Management
Directorate to co-ordinate Disaster Risk Management functions within the
sector.
5
Structure of Climate Change and Disaster Management
Directorate
• National Office: The mandate of the Directorate: Climate Change and Disaster
Management has been immensely expanded over the past five years, with
Climate Change and Migratory Pests divisions added. This expansion needs a
review in terms of the capacity requirements to match the responsibility.
• Provincial offices: Disaster risk management units still remain a concern in the
provinces. Only KZN is capacitated. The focus is only placed on the post disaster
activities due limited capacity.
6
Policy development and implementation
• Disaster Risk Management Plan – is an overarching plan for disaster
management in the sector and its annexures emphasise risk reduction based
on the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002). The document has been
gazetted and consultation processes for public comments have already
started. Provincial workshops are underway for further consultation.
• Cold Spell Management Plan – the plan is aimed at addressing cold spells
within the sector. The consultation with key external stakeholders in the sector
is still underway.
7
Institutional Arrangements
1. The following committees are functional:
•
National Agro-meteorological Committee (NAC) – The NAC assists DAFF
with the implementation of the early warning system in support of disaster risk
management. This committee is chaired by DAFF and constitutes South
African Weather Service, Agricultural Research Council, Provincial
Departments and Universities where necessary.
•
National Agricultural Disaster Risk Management Committee (NADRMCO)
– a strategic committee aimed at advising the Minister of DAFF on strategy
and policy related to disaster risk management in the sector. Participants
include: SMS members from DAFF (including Chairperson) , SMS members
from PDAs, Organised Agriculture, and National Disaster Management Centre
(NDMC).
8
Institutional Arrangements
•
National Drought Task Team – a technical committee advising drought
issues in the country. The committee is chaired by DAFF (secretariat) and
participants include: PDA’s, NDMC, Organised agriculture, Departments of
Social Development, Rural Development and Land Reform, and Water Affairs.
•
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) –
an international convention to negotiate the reduction and stabilisation of
greenhouse gases. Countries attend these meetings to negotiate emission
reduction commitments and projects to implement the Framework.
9
Institutional Support
2. The Directorate also participates in the following forums:
•
National Disaster Management Advisory Forum - Advises the Minister of
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) on disaster
management issues. DAFF participates as a sector to report disaster
management issues in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The committee is
constituted by all departments, public and private sectors including Organised
Agriculture whose responsibilities include disaster management.
•
National Committee on Climate Change (NCCC) – consultation of climate
change stakeholders to give an input on technical climate change issues.
DAFF participates to draw lessons and share from research experts in the
committee .
•
Inter-Governmental Committee on Climate Change (IGCCC) – a
committee where government departments meet to advise the Minister of
Environmental Affairs.
Institutional Support
•
World Platform on Disaster Reduction – a world conference where disaster
risk reduction issues are discussed. Countries participate and report annually
on risk reduction initiatives to make a contribution to risk reduction.
•
Departmental Working Group on Climate Change – coordinates the
implementation of climate change programme within DAFF and the sector.
The scope of the committee is confined within DAFF and the sector.
.
11
Disaster Response and Management
• DAFF through Climate Change and Disaster Management Directorate
facilitates the implementation of climate change programmes and disaster risk
management system.
• Emphasis is placed on disaster risk reduction phase where activities are aimed
at disaster risk reduction, prevention, avoidance, mitigation and preparedness
as required by the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002.
• One of the risk reduction tools implemented by DAFF is an Early Warning
System whereby advisories and extreme weather warnings are disseminated
to the farming communities for proper response.
• Furthermore, other activities include research to identify areas and measures
in addressing disaster risk management, awareness campaigns and education
and training to strengthen disaster risk management.
Disaster Response and Management
• The frequent hazards that the sector is managing and responding to include
droughts, veld fires, floods and outbreak of pests and diseases.
13
Disaster Response and Management
Drought
• South Africa is subjected to recurring droughts of varying spatial and temporal
dimensions. Unlike other hazards/disasters, drought is complicated as it
develops slowly and has a prolonged existence, sometimes over several years.
It is a regular feature of the weather pattern of the country.
• The sector developed Drought Management Plan to address drought risks
and management in the sector. Consultation has been completed, gazetted and
is to be presented to MINEXCO and MINMEC.
• The document on drought coping strategies has been developed in line with the
Drought Management Plan and published in all official languages. The document
puts more emphasis on drought risk reduction measures in accordance with the
Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002. This document has been made available
through the existing provincial structures and further distributed during farmers
days and awareness campaigns.
14
Disaster Response and Management
• Farmers are further encouraged to adapt to the changing conditions i.e.
consider suitable farming activities and implementing good farming practices
as conditions are also aggravated by poor practices.
• Current conditions:
o Most provinces received below normal rainfall during 2011/12 summer
rainfall season and 2012 winter rainfall season resulting in dry conditions in
the central and eastern Free State, northern North West, southern
Mpumalanga, northern Limpopo, and western KwaZulu-Natal as well as the
Northern Cape and the central to western parts of Western Cape.
• The affected provinces have been advised to submit reports to relevant
Disaster Management Centers for classification and declaration of the
occurrence.
15
Disaster Response and Management
Veld Fires
• Veld fires are also one of the regular occurrences within the country, they
have been experienced over several consecutive years, the most vulnerable
period being July to October in summer rainfall areas and November to
January in winter rainfall areas.
•
Veld fires are exacerbated by the dry conditions, windy conditions, fuel load
and poor veld management. These conditions make it conducive for the
development and spread of runaway fires. Arson cases have been suspected
in some provinces and investigations are being conducted by South African
Police Service for those cases.
•
Veld fires are experienced mostly in Free State, North West, Northern Cape
and Western Cape Provinces.
Disaster Response and Management
Veld fires
• Recent veld fires reported include those in Northern Cape, Limpopo and North
West, Gauteng, Free State and Eastern Cape.
•
Free State has submitted a report to the Provincial Disaster Management
Center to request for the classification and declaration of the occurrence.
• Veld Fire Management Plan – the plan is aimed at addressing veld fires
within the sector. A draft document has been compiled and consultation is
underway within the Department.
• The sector has recently launched the National Fire Danger Rating System in
line with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act. This system will go a long way
in mitigating and preventing veld fire risks.
Disaster Response and Management
Floods
• Floods are a worldwide problem, which in many countries like South Africa result
in loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure and production.
• Flood Management Plan – has been developed to address flood risks and
management in the sector. The Plan is to be presented to DAFF management
before gazetting which will be followed by the consultation processes.
• The sector further developed the document on coping strategies for floods in line
with the Flood Management Plan which is in the process of being published into all
official languages. This document highlights the mitigation as well as adaptation
measures to floods by all stakeholders which includes communities and farmers.
Disaster Response and Management
• DAFF is currently facilitating implementation of the 2011 Flood Assistance
Scheme in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, Northern Cape
and Gauteng for the floods that occurred between December 2010 and
February 2011.
• Floods occurred in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces in March 2012 and
those in Western Cape in June 2011 have been declared and assistance has
been requested through the relevant processes.
• Recent floods occurrences (October 2012) - Western Cape, Eastern Cape and
KwaZulu-Natal. Assessments have been conducted to gather the extent of the
damage.
Disaster Response and Management
Migratory Pests Control
• DAFF is responsible for the control of migratory pests namely locust and
quelea in terms of Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983). Locust
destroys veld and crops and quelea destroys small grain crops such as wheat
and sorghum.
• DAFF is also responsible for the control of blackfly pest even though it is not
yet listed in the Agricultural Pests Act due to its devastating effect to livestock
farming.
20
Disaster Response and Management
• Locust outbreaks mainly occurs in Northern Cape Province and in some parts of
the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West and Western Cape Provinces.
• Quelea outbreaks occur throughout the country where small grain crops are
produced.
• Blackfly outbreaks occur in Bree River in Western Cape, Fish, Gamtoos and
Sunday Rivers in Eastern Cape and Orange River in Northern Cape.
Migratory Pests Control Procedures
• DAFF appoints locust control contractors who assist the Department
controlling the locust outbreaks when the occurs.
by
• The small grain crop farmers report to DAFF the presence of quelea pests in
their farms and DAFF conducts inspection to arrange for control operation.
21
Disaster Response and Management
• DAFF conducts weekly blackfly larvae monitoring to determine the need and
date for control.
Migratory Pests Control Operations for 2011/2012 financial year
• Locust Outbreak Control
o Locust outbreak was controlled on 932 farms in the Eastern Cape, Northern
Cape, Free State and Western Cape Provinces.
o 1 062 locust control contractors were activated to control the outbreak.
o 28 325 hopper bands, 3 250 mixed swarms and 10 820 adult swarms were
controlled at the costs of R 26 968 585.
•
Quelea Outbreak Control
o 137 quelea outbreak were controlled in Free State, North West, Limpopo
and Mpumalanga Provinces.
22
Disaster Response and Management
• 82.553 Million quelea were controlled on 828 hectares of the roosts at the
control costs of R 6 314 661.
Migratory Pests Control Operations for 2011/2012 financial year
• Blackfly Outbreak Control
o Weekly blackfly larvae monitoring was done in Bree, Fish, Gamtoos,
Sundays and Orange Rivers.
o 11 blackfly larvae control operations were done at the control costs of R 4
193 273.
23
Process for Disaster Response
In case of disaster related occurrences, the following are undertaken:
•
Assessments by farmers, Provincial Department and DAFF (with support of
Organized Agriculture).
• Reports are submitted to relevant Disaster Management Centers (Local,
Provincial/ National) and DAFF.
•
Resources are sourced internally (provincially) for intervention with regard to
immediate needs internally.
• Classification and declaration of a state of disaster by the Department of
Corporative Governance and Traditional through Disaster Management Act
(57 of 2002).
-
24
Process for Disaster Response
In case of disaster related occurrences, the following are undertaken:
• Funding request by the Provincial Department to Provincial Cabinet through the
Provincial Disaster Management Center
• Escalation of the funding request to National Government/ National Disaster
Management Center in case the province is unable to cope using own resources
• Verification of damages and requested amounts by the National Disaster
Management Center (through Service Providers).
• Funding request to National Treasury through NDMC in accordance with
Verification Report.
• Funding approval by National Treasury.
25
Process for Disaster Response
Implementation Systems by DAFF
•
Establishment of the Disaster Assistance Scheme by DAFF (the scheme mainly
indicates assistance to be provided to affected farmers)
• Development of Disaster Assistance Framework by DAFF in consultation with
stakeholders (Framework provided guidelines regarding the management and
criteria for implementation)
• Gazette of the funds by National Treasury in the Division of Revenue Act (DORA)
including
funding conditions and responsibilities.
• Preparation of Implementation/ business plans by provinces. Assessment of the
plans and approval by DAFF.
26
Process for Disaster Response
Implementation of the scheme:
•
Transfer of funds to provinces in accordance with the Transfer Schedule
gazette in DORA.
• Implementation by provinces – Actual repair work, expenditure, monitoring of
implementation, reporting to Provincial Treasuries and DAFF.
• Facilitation by DAFF - support, guide and monitoring of implementation
Reporting to National Treasury.
• Scheme evaluation and closure.
27
Floods - The 2011 Flood Assistance Scheme
• Funding is made available in phases to provinces, the first allocation was
during the 2011/12 Budget Adjustment Period and remaining allocations are
made available through the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
Period until 2014/15 financial year.
• Approved funding is as per verification and costing undertaken by the National
Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) within the Department of Cooperative
Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
28
Response - The 2011 Flood Assistance Scheme
The 2011/12 Budget Adjustment Allocations
• Amounts of R149.6 million and R398.1 million were approved by National
Treasury for the six provinces during 2011/12 and 2012/13 respectively. The
MTEF funding has been allocated within the Comprehensive Agricultural
Support Programme (CASP). Funds were allocated as follows:
Province
2011/12 Allocations
2012/13 Allocations (MTEF)
Eastern Cape
Free State
Gauteng
Limpopo
Northern Cape
North West
TOTAL
R 997 066.00
R 4 736 068.00
R 1 744 867.00
R 8 475 070.00
R 131 862 125.00
R 1 744 867.00
R149 560 063.00
R2 000 000.00
R12 000 000.00
R4 000 000.00
R20 000 000.00
R354 191 000.00
R 6 000 000.00
R398 191 000.00
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Challenges and Actions
• Challenge - Prioritization of disaster relief schemes versus risk reduction
initiatives.
• Action - awareness campaigns and education and training to change the
mindset of the past in prioritizing post disaster response and recovery phase.
• Challenge - Lack of capacity in disaster risk management at all levels.
• Action – Correspondences are regularly sent to HoDs by DG to indicate areas
of concern including capacity constraints. The matter is also discussed in the
relevant departmental structures.
• Action - Feasibility study - DAFF is currently rolling out a study on Disaster
Risk Management Operations within the sector; the study will also investigate
institutional arrangements and capacity within the spheres of government.
Challenges and Actions
• Challenge - Frequency of natural hazards.
• Action -emphasis on research and adaptation and encourage insurance on
insurable commodities.
• Challenge - Monitoring of locust outbreak control contractors during control
campaign.
• Action - Provinces to assist DAFF in monitoring the locust outbreak control
campaign.
• Challenge - Inability of the farmers to locate the breeding and roosting sites
of the reported quelea outbreaks.
• Action - Provincial Extension Officers to assist the farmers to locate the
breeding and roosting sites of the quelea outbreaks.
Challenges and Actions
• Challenge - Inaccessibility to the blackfly larvae monitoring sites.
• Action – Farming community to assist DAFF by maintaining the roads and
cutting the bushes to the blackfly larvae monitoring sites.
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Conclusion
• DAFF is currently implementing the prevention and mitigation of disaster risks
fund over the MTEF period as a long-term measure in disaster risk
management.
• Research indicates that many response measures and interventions especially
on post disaster relief instituted by government, international organizations,
agencies and donors, have actually increased vulnerability by fostering and
increasing dependency on internal or external assistance.
• Hence the priority for Disaster Management Act (57 of 2002) is on disaster risk
reduction particularly through strengthening of early warning systems and
dissemination of early warning as well as awareness campaigns to build
resilient farming communities.
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THANK YOU