Disaster management: Forum calls residents to action
A disaster relief forum, coordinated by Dorcas Aid, encourages residents to get involved for their communities' sake.
Important decisions were made at the recent meeting of the Region C Disaster Relief Forum on Tuesday 28 January.
The forum was established on 6 June last year to unite various role players in the community (including ward councillors, City departments, emergency services, businesses and NGOs). Their united goal firstly is to respond to disasters or incidents in the Roodepoort area in an organised manner, and secondly to plan the prevention of such occurrences pro-actively. Dorcas Aid, an international charitable organisation that has its South African office in Florida, took the lead by becoming the coordinator of the forum and subsequently of every meeting.
On Tuesday the forum concluded that ward-based emergency disaster plans must be put into action to encourage the assistance of all the relevant role players in the specified suburbs, Dorcas Aid spokesperson Nerine Niemand told the Record.
“Although every suburb is unique, the occurrence of disasters or incidents and the effects thereof often cause emotional havoc and desperation, irrespective of race, religion or political affiliation,” coordinator Annette Reed said.
One such example was identified as the aftermath of the hail storms in the Roodepoort area recently – as discussed during the meeting houses were flooded, roofs collapsed and windows were broken.
Another such disaster was the recent shack fires in informal settlements (Matholesville, Braamfischer, Princess and Zandspruit). There also has been an increase in protests over recent weeks.
“We encourage all neighbourhood watches, residents associations, businesses, churches, NGOs, media houses and ward councillors to join this venture to strengthen our communities’ response to natural and man-made disasters,” Niemand concluded.
“You might find that next time, you’re the affected individual.”
The next forum meeting will take place on Wednesday 19 February at 8.30am at the Phelindaba Chambers on the first floor of the Roodepoort Civic Centre at 100 Christiaan de Wet Road, Florida.
For any further information, contact Nerine Niemand at Dorcas Aid South Africa on 011 672 9669 or via email at fundraising@dorcas.co.za.
