PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEEON 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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 by

controlling the locust outbreaks when the occurs.

• 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.

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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 Controlo 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.

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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 Controlo 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.

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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).

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Process for Disaster ResponseIn 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.

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Process for Disaster ResponseImplementation 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.

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Process for Disaster ResponseImplementation 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.

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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).

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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:

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Province 2011/12 Allocations 2012/13 Allocations (MTEF)

Eastern Cape R 997 066.00 R2 000 000.00Free State R 4 736 068.00 R12 000 000.00Gauteng R 1 744 867.00 R4 000 000.00Limpopo R 8 475 070.00 R20 000 000.00Northern Cape R 131 862 125.00 R354 191 000.00

North West R 1 744 867.00 R 6 000 000.00 TOTAL R149 560 063.00 R398 191 000.00

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