Today, Alfred Nzo District Municipality held a disaster risk awareness campaign in Ntshamathe Village, Ward 06, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality.
This campaign follows a recent disaster in the area, which saw significant damage due to the overflow of a sewage pond and severe water contamination. This incident posed a serious threat to both public health and the environment and was linked to inadequate control of pollution in the area.
The primary goal of the campaign was to educate the community about the dangers associated with disasters, how to prepare for them, how to mitigate their impacts, and how to anticipate and prevent such events in the future. The campaign provided in-depth information on effective disaster response strategies, risk avoidance, and building community resilience.
Several government departments participated in the campaign, including:
The Department of Agriculture, which offered guidance on protecting agricultural production from diseases and natural disasters. The Department of Health, which provided education on safeguarding public health in cases of water contamination.
The Fire and Rescue Services, which shared best practices for emergency response during disaster events. The Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, which highlighted the role of municipalities in managing and preventing disasters.
The Alfred Nzo District Municipality Disaster Management Unit, which led the campaign and delivered comprehensive information on disaster risk management standards and procedures.
The campaign emphasized collaboration, information sharing, and community participation. All departments encouraged residents to take an active role in disaster management efforts, and to report any risks or potential hazards to the relevant authorities.
This initiative marks a vital step in building a safe, informed, and resilient community that is better equipped to respond to unexpected disasters.
