Although this instrument is famous for its incorporation of clauses on disaster risk reduction (DRR), its implementation has posed significant challenges, particularly at the level of local municipalities. The purpose of the review is to tackle these challenges by establishing the legal facilities for maximising the effect of DRR legislation for communities at the municipality level.
As noted by Ann Bruwer, Executive Manager of Disaster Management Legislation, Policy and Compliance Management at the NDMC: “The South African legal framework not only outlines the organisation and structure of disaster management in response to disasters, but includes the institutional responsibilities concerning preparedness for emergencies and in reducing the risk of disaster. It is crucial that issues of disaster risk reduction, community participation and the link to climate change are adequately provided for in our reviewed legislation.”
At the request of the NDMC, the IFRC and the South African Red Cross have joined a roundtable of experts providing input to the review. This coordinated effort is timely, as the IFRC, in close cooperation with the South African Red Cross Society, is currently conducting a research project with the University of Witwatersrand into the effect of the Disaster Management Act at the community level in South Africa. Like the NDMC, the researchers concluded that, although there are pockets of excellence, implementation of the South African Disaster Management Act has not yet had the desired effect on the disaster preparedness of local municipalities.
A draft bill including amendments to the Disaster Management Act is expected to be presented to Parliament in 2012.