WC DA urges national govt to develop plans to address challenges faced by provinces when disasters hit
The party said that since 2011, the Western Cape had been hit hard by a series of 55 disasters, with 30 of those taking place in the last four years alone.
Heavy rain in the Western Cape caused flooding in the Cederberg on 10 July 2024. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape is calling on national government to urgently develop extensive plans and policies to address challenges faced by provinces when disasters hit.
The party said that since 2011, the Western Cape had been hit hard by a series of 55 disasters, with 30 of those taking place in the last four years alone.
The DA's provincial spokesperson on local development, Dave Bryant, said that damages incurred over the past two years in the province were currently estimated at R6 billion.
Bryant said that, unfortunately, limitations remain in accessing recovery funding from national government.
"It's clear that we must prioritise investment in disaster risk management and take decisive action to combat climate change. The cost of inaction is simply too high, not just in terms of financial losses, but in the impact on our communities and our environment."