Disaster Management BillSummary of Concerns

• General concerns• Comments that cover more than

one section of the Bill, as well as those not already incorporated.

• Specific concerns

General Concerns

1. Process issues

2. Mismatch between White Paper and Bill3. Financial implications of the Bill,

including issues of unfunded mandate at municipal sphere

3. Social context for disaster occurrence and

links between disaster mgmt/development

General issues continued...

5. Role of citizens, volunteers and participatory engagement of communities

6. Role of traditional leaders and indigenous knowledge.

7. Issues around ‘centres’ cf ‘structures’ at provincial and local spheres

8. Issues around definitions.9. Other issues

Process issues

• Concern that Bill does not adequately reflect priorities identified in White Paper.

• Limited stakeholder consultation/feedback between White Paper and formulation of Bill…and between 1st/2nd versions of the Bill.

Mismatch Betw. White Paper and BillOne NDMC, ‘structures’Role of W.P. as ‘policy’ “Rationale” for

declaring a disaster

Developmental thrust to reduce risk

Ltd focus:small/medium disasters

Emphasis on training

‘Centres’ in 3 spheresRole of ‘Framework’Geographic distinction

for disastersActivities carried out

by centresFocus on large events

Section omitted

Financial Implications of the Bill

• Issues specifically around unfunded mandate for establishing a disaster management centre in each metropolitan and district municipality.

• Also issues around punitive measures in releasing relief monies if preventive steps were not taken in advance of a disaster

Social context for disaster occurrence

• Need to locate disaster vulnerability in a social context

• Reorientation of Bill towards benefits to people and sustainable development

• Need to identify special risk groups known to be most exposed (ie women, children)

Role of citizens, volunteers and engagement of communities

• Limited engagement of citizens in planning and shared risk reduction

• Need to give greater priority to volunteers, including insurance cover

• Need for targeted training, education and capacity-building for at-risk groups.

Role of Traditional Leaders

• No mention of traditional leaders and role they play in their communities

• No mention of indigenous knowledge and its role in disaster management

Centres cf Structures

• Requirement for centres at all levels, but,

• capacities of prov/local authorities to staff these centres

• funding does not currently exist for expansion of local dm centres

• lack of clarity as to how these centres would operate/be organised

Definitions

• ‘Disaster’• ? Specify types of events that the

Bill handles• Need to rework many definitions

and include others for clarity