SALGA Calls for Urgent Overhaul of Disaster Management System
With extreme weather conditions set to hit KwaZulu-Natal,
North-West, Mpumalanga, and the Free State, the South African Local Government
Association (SALGA) is urging an overhaul of the country's disaster management
system. This follows the devastating floods and mudslides in KwaZulu-Natal,
which left 29 dead and hundreds displaced.
Recent climate events, including floods, wildfires, and
droughts, highlight critical gaps in South Africa’s disaster response, such as
inadequate funding, poor coordination, and outdated early warning systems.
SALGA is calling for a shift from a reactive to a proactive disaster management
approach, with a focus on preparation, risk reduction, and early intervention. SALGA met with Emergency Services and Disaster Management
Working Groups today to discuss readiness plans.
