Cabinet Supports Declaration of a Local Disaster in the Eden District

Anton Bredell, the Provincial Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning today announced the resolution by Provincial Cabinet to support the declaration of a local disaster in the drought stricken area's of the Eden District.

The coastal area's of Eden, including Mossel Bay, George and Knysna are currently gripped by a 1:100 - 1:150 year drought, and dam levels are falling to dangerously low levels. Weather forecasts also indicate that the situation will only get worse in the next few months.

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape has engaged with National Treasury via the National Disaster Management Centre in obtaining additional funding to counter the costs of emergency solutions to the drought/ water shortages, the Province mobilised R53 million from national emergency funding for the Mossel Bay, George and Knysna Municipalities to be utilised for emergency projects such as drilling of boreholes/treatment of effluent water etc. The province will be requesting more financial assistance.

Cabinet resolutions include the following:

• the PDMC (Provincial Disaster Management Centre) will assist the Eden Disaster Management Centre with the co-ordination and facilitation of the recovery process
• Eden municipalities are urged to adhere to the call by Minister Bredell to reduce water consumption by 30%
• Treasury to assist with obtaining funding for financial shortfall
• municipalities are encouraged to develop and implement a drought management plan

Municipalities are further encouraged to conduct public awareness campaigns as community involvement and education is crucial.

The PDMC will co-ordinate the disaster declaration and strategic coordination with key strategic role-players. Disaster Management is everybody's business and it will require everybody's efforts to effectively deal with this disaster.

Drought Relief	Amount
Eden (Knysna, George and Mossel Bay)	R53 700 000 00
George	R15 million
Knysna	R22.5 million
Mossel Bay	R16.5 million

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For more information please contact:
Heini Odendal
Media Liaison
Cell: 084 510 3258