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The Amathole District Municipality (ADM), in partnership with Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality and key stakeholders, commemorated the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction under the theme “Building Resilient Communities.” The event highlighted the importance of proactive disaster management and community-driven preparedness across the Eastern Cape.
Empowering Communities Through Preparedness
This year’s dialogue marked ADM’s second annual commemoration, following the 2024 event hosted in Mnquma Local Municipality. The programme aimed to strengthen local disaster risk awareness, improve coordination between municipalities, and promote early intervention over post-disaster relief.
Officials pointed to the devastating floods that hit Skiti informal settlements earlier this year as a reminder of the urgent need for resilience planning. The discussions focused on:
- Proactive risk reduction
- Technical and on-the-ground intervention
- Integration of disaster strategies into municipal development plans
ADM also underscored the importance of allocating preventative funding to reduce long-term vulnerability, rather than responding reactively once disasters strike.
Partnerships for a Safer Future
Raymond Mhlaba Mayor Cllr. Nomhle Sango called for unity and collaboration across all sectors, including traditional leaders, faith-based groups, and civil society.
“We must have a unity of purpose involving the community, government, traditional leaders, and churches to build resilient communities,” said Sango.
She emphasized that structures such as Joint Operations Committees (JOCs) and the District Development Model (DDM) are vital tools for coordinating response and prevention efforts at local levels.
The Role of Nature and Infrastructure
Speakers highlighted climate change as the root cause of more than 80% of disasters in the region, warning that human actions continue to strain the environment. The event’s message — “If we protect nature, nature will protect us” — urged communities to adopt sustainable practices to reduce climate-related risks.
ADM Communications official Ms. Sisa Msiwa also used the platform to raise awareness around protecting water infrastructure through the ongoing “Zingce – Take Pride” campaign.
“To secure water and its infrastructure within our communities, vandalism must come to an end,” said Msiwa.
Call to Action
Delivering the keynote address, ADM Acting Executive Mayor Cllr. Kanyile Maneli called for improved early warning systems and stronger information sharing to help municipalities act faster and smarter during crises.
“How do we manage to avoid the worst outcomes during disasters? Through platforms like these that allow for the dissemination of information, because information leads to better decision-making,” he said.
Maneli reaffirmed ADM’s commitment to improving resource allocation and coordination with other spheres of government to ensure that communities across the district are better prepared for emergencies.
