Floods in Human Settlements held in Parliament, on 19 & 20 April 2005, reports as

follows:

The Portfolio Committee on Housing held a conference on Challenges of Fire and

Floods in Human Settlements in Parliament, over two days on 19-20 April 2005.

146 delegates attended the Conference from a wide variety of spheres and

organizations, and Members of Parliament (MPs) from different portfolio

committees/select committees.

2. Conference Theme: To enhance the creation of sustainable human settlements by

examining the challenges of fire and floods in these settlements.

To introduce early warning systems in communities especially as far as

floods are concerned;

To analyze planning systems for settlements so as to avoid mass destruction

of property when fires do occur;

To look at non-inflammable building material as well as stoves that are

amicable for informal settlement purposes; and

To clarify roles of government and communities in taking ownership for

existing policy framework.

Focus: Dialogue window of opportunity for the meetings of minds for a better

tomorrow and harnessing common energy towards a common goal of

sustainable human settlements.

Concern: Recurrent fires and floods - every fire through informal settlements

could have been prevented.

Needed: Comprehensive plan aimed at addressing these issues in a holistic

manner with partnerships formed with various stakeholders from different areas

of specialisation.

Despite all the preventative measures and as long as adequate housing was

not a reality for all citizens, there is always a possibility for disaster.

No measure could be successful in an environment with unplanned

settlements, as witnessed fires in Joe Slovo, which had firebreaks.

There is a need to acknowledge we cannot go back to the old policies of

influx control, plan for migration of people into our areas. Must ensure that

settlements are planned and policies are such that they prevent invasion.

Policies may need to be reviewed to welcome the thousands of people

migrating to big cities, introducing safe cooking and heating measures.

Municipalities need to be assisted to plan for urbanisation and migration to

the city

6. Statistics SA: Mr P Lehohla, Statistician-General

6.1 Challenges:

High percentage of housing units that lend themselves to high risk

Geographical referencing is needed to ensure rapid disaster response: need

for addresses

Volume of migration to Johannesburg and Cape Town

Disaster prone areas are known: why are we waiting for the disaster to

happen?

6.2 Discussion

It was pointed out that fires constituted over 40% of the risk and that this,

combined with high density housing, made a good recipe for disaster. Because

the structures in informal settlements were man-made, they could be improved.

It was emphasised that it is imperative to have proper planning of informal

settlements.

7. Paraffin Safety Association: Ms N Ahmed, Managing Director

No quick fixes, paraffin related incidents cost tax-payers millions per year.

People that use paraffin have little choice over the cooking utensils and fuels

they use, and use it because it is low cost.

Sub-standard paraffin stoves are the norm, with an initiative to design a safe

stove. It is a problem that the unsafe stoves and fuel in unsafe containers is

used until then.

Possible legislation for the removal of paraffin stoves. Local government and

provincial government must pressurise national government to legislate and

improve paraffin stoves.

Portfolio Committee on Housing needs to call SABS to account and ask

what is happening with the process of reviewing stove standards.

What is city and province’s statement of intent within framework to address

preventable disasters, as people will continue to use energy regardless of the

structure of the house they have. Dynamics of poverty are such that people

will continue to use cheap fuel source, and when talk about an integrated

housing strategy need to address integrated household energy strategy.

8. South African Weather Services: Mr G Schultz, General Manager

Hazards become disasters when people’s lives and livelihood are swept

away. Nearly 90% of the economic impact of disaster in last ten years was

weather and climate related. Impacts of natural hazards can be reduced

through preparedness and mitigation, but people need to be informed of risks

and options. It is six times more difficult to address relief actions in

developing countries as hazards are linked to vulnerabilities of communities,

the more vulnerable the community, the greater chance the hazard will turn

into a disaster.

Weather Service can offer hazard monitoring in real time, early warnings,

risk-identification, climate records, and expert advice. Main risks in South

Africa are lighting, hailstorms, floods and drought. In periods of drought we

should start preparing for the next floods and vice versa. Lightning is a

significant weather issue in South Africa. Preparedness and emergency

management includes timely and accurate forecasts and warnings of natural

hazards. Knowledge management includes further improvements in the

prediction of high-impact weather and user education and awareness, to

ensure that warnings are understood and acted upon.

Rural communities experience problems with lightning and tornadoes - there

have to be systems to ensure that communities are aware of the risks.

The Weather Service is embarking on a recapitalisation plan to buy in more

sophisticated weather radars, such as those used in the USA. Tornadoes are a

devastating phenomenon – have models to give indication of possibility, but

only half an hour lead time to give warning. Want to put in lightning system

to cover whole of South Africa and cover 500m. This would probably be

able to pick up lightning and movement of lightning in a certain direction.

Software would automatically generate SMS to cell phone in an affected

area and warn of approaching storm.

People and communities do not always understand the weather service - they

have to be reached. It is a challenge to translate jargon into everyday

language. Looking at application systems to convert the science into a more

application type of message. Weather Service itself cannot warn a local

community – the community itself must warn its people.

There needs to be a close relationship between the Weather Service and

provincial and local governments for quick response and to prevent flooding.

South African Weather Service (SAWS) issue warnings, but alerts to

evacuate and life threatening situations can only be done at a local

community level. Working together with disaster management to a very

large extent by providing warnings to disaster management in the local

communities to inform them about disasters so that they can be ready to act

upon it and monitor local area more efficiently.

Risk perception requires mapping into sociology of the community, e.g.

understanding of drought might be perceived as being when crops do not

grow. NB to understand the risk perception from the community’s point of

view. A person in the least developed country’s chances of being affected

by hazard is 400 times greater than that of a person living in a highly

developed country.

8.1 Discussion

Considerable concern was expressed about the need for early warning systems,

particularly for vulnerable people in rural areas. It was also noted that warnings

were not always understood and therefore not acted upon. A number of

delegates agreed that there was a need for better communication with

communities and local authorities. It was also noted that weather services

around the world were co-operating on better early warning strategies for natural

disasters.

9. Role of the Province in managing disasters: Ms M Murris (Western Cape

9.1 Challenges and resources:

We can be as prepared for disasters as we want to be, but if we do not look

into people’s living conditions, it will always be necessary to deal with the

impact of fire and natural disasters.

9.2 At present:

In the Western Cape, there are six focal areas of implementation of the Disaster

Management Act:

Development of a provincial framework: developing draft provincial

framework and bring that in line with the National Framework, consulted

and published during this year.

Establishment of a Disaster Management Centre: secured co-location with

EMS and Traffic, obtained suitable site for the Centre (on premises of

Tygerberg Hospital), and obtained budgetary commitment from Treasury

and looking at an official launch during 06/07. It is Important that we are

not approaching disasters alone, and working on a process to capacitate

particularly district municipalities in a similar format.

Development of Disaster Management Plans: developed and implemented

an IT management system, compiled a holistic hazard assessment in the

province, and implementation of provincial key performance areas (KPAs),

namely disaster management planning risk reduction and preparedness; and

disaster response, recovery and rehabilitation and reconstruction. The

Department has picked up flooding patterns, for example; and is now able to

predict the times at which flooding is likely to reach certain areas. Are we

experiencing communication problems to make the system fully functional,

and have we currently opted for satellite communications? All land-based

communications tend to go down once there is a disaster.

Appointment of the Head of the Centre.

Establishment of intergovernmental committee, chaired by the MEC of

Local Government, after publication of the provincial framework.

Establishment of Provincial Advisory Forum, chaired by Head of the Centre.

The long term goal is to reduce disaster-prone areas, communities and

households, making communities safer, with the emphasis on disaster

prevention and mitigation, and to prepare for efficient and effective disaster

management preparedness, response and recovery structures, systems and

mechanisms. This needs the commitment of municipalities as the

implementing agents.

Embarked on a training initiative (TEAM – training, education, awareness

and marketing), a pilot production to enhance the risk reduction and coping

skills of the residents in the ten most vulnerable areas in the Province

through training and education interventions tailored to specific hazards and

risks faced by communities.

Need early warning system for floods, and focused on areas where invariably

people have settled on low lying ground that was vacant because on flood

line, they don’t have an alternative even if they get an early warning – this is

where disaster management needs to play a role.

Removing people from the areas that have not proved a solution. People

tend not to want to move away, and the situation arises when women and

children are accommodated in community halls and so on, but men remain

behind to look after their property.

Over-crowding will lead to fire.

Breaking New Ground Plan – the N2 Gateway project is the pilot for the

plan, this housing for 22 000 families, and this will be providing new

housing and dealing with in-situ upgrading of informal settlement areas.

Also need to look at de-densifying informal settlement areas.

Standard of RDP houses.

Veld-fires - started by unknown persons and spread to residential areas -

need or firebreaks. This is a matter that boils down to policing as well.

Affected communities must be involved in decision-making.

Road flooding, e.g. in Western Cape.

Need to bring planning legislation and disaster management legislation

closer.

Fire-resistant and durable products need to be used.

9.3 Discussion

Evidence indicated that fires in particular were very costly. A suggestion to ban

paraffin stoves outright was supported, but it was pointed out that enforcement

of any legislation was a challenge in this respect. The legislative route had been

followed, and the sale of unsafe paraffin stoves would be prohibited.

It was agreed that there was an urgent need for resources to be made available

for early warning systems to enable communities to become pro-active in

respect of disasters. Problems would continue to arise while the housing

problem persisted, as most vulnerable settlements were either below the flood

line, or within over densely populated areas. Upgrading of the Western Cape’s

informal settlements had already been identified as a priority by the provincial

government.

Delegates also addressed the problem of the poor standard of RDP housing.

Unfortunately there were no quick fixes, but the Department of Housing was

working on interim relief programmes, particularly for disasters.

10. Impact of Fires and Floods In the City of Cape Town: Mr G Pillay,

10.1 Fires: Challenges

Victims of fires place belongings in the roads outside their dwellings to

protect them from the fire, in the process obstructing the passage of

emergency vehicles trying to reach the scene of the fire.

Need for sufficient vacant space within and between informal settlements is

a key safety requirement

Infrastructural damage as well as personal loss cost implications of the huge

costs of emergency, medical and other disaster relief services

Fires originating from informal settlements often posed a threat to formal

housing such as hostels surrounded the by the affected informal structures.

The loss of livelihoods in informal settlements was potentially substantial as

no accurate statistics were available on the number of jobs created by

informal settlements

10.2 Floods: Challenges

Safety and security concerns for emergency relief workers, and anger

generated by incidents

Need to supply counselling and support personnel to victims

Education of community on flood threats, and buy-in and enforcement

required

Registration of persons on the scene

Integrated Development Plan (IDP) needs to be aligned with disaster relief

management plans of the municipality

Disaster Management Act 2002 is good legislation but needs to be

implemented properly.

10.3 Discussion

It was emphasised that partnership was key, and in this instance, the

Department of Social Services worked in close co-operation with the City of

Cape Town and various other organisations. Reference was also made to the

human and emotional cost of disasters, with particular reference to the fires in

the Joe Slovo informal settlement.

Mention was also made of the dangers faced by emergency relief personnel,

such as fire fighters. It was also important to have preventative measures in

place and, once more, enforcement was raised as problematic. As in previous

discussions, communication and co-operation were essential. In addition,

community based risk assessment programmes were being undertaken, and it

was hoped that this would address some of the issues.

11. Disaster Management Act: Mr L Buys, Executive Manager: Disaster

11.1 Challenges:

Policy and strategy must target the most vulnerable and the interventions

should be co-ordinated.

Disaster Management Act - good but the Bill needs to be implemented

Challenges to the implementation of the Act:

Financial constraints

Lack of qualified personnel

Co-ordination

Turn around time for housing assistance too long and could lead to arson

Need to increase helicopter capacity

11.2 Discussion

A number of delegates stated that municipalities lacked the funds to address

disaster management. Other delegates pointed out the need for municipalities to

incorporate disaster management in their IDPs as required by the Act. It was

recognised that disaster management was a new discipline in the country, and

that training was vital.

12. National Department of Housing: Ms J Bayat, Director: National Housing

12.1 Challenges:

International experience shows that communities in informal settlements

are vulnerable to environmental hazards, nature and location of the

settlement and external threats from outside the settlement.

Design of urban policies - are they sufficiently well designed to prevent

disaster and are there adequate mechanisms in place to respond to disasters,

and can sufficient resources be mobilised for post-disaster reconstruction. If

the funds are available, why are they not filtering down?

In planning for sustainable human settlements, need 4 essential elements:

space (land – is there sufficient space); economy (ensure there is a good

economic base); governance; and the environment (not only the trees etc but

also how children are raised, safety, the quality of the soil, etc.).

People need to be given safe neighbourhoods and sustainable human

settlements. Currently over 1.45 million households are in informal

settlements. Victims of floods and flooding come essentially from there.

Over 12% of the households living in freestanding informal housing are

most often located on the periphery of the city. People have no services, and

it is inappropriate land for settlement. Sites are on steep slopes (Inanda in

Durban), flood planes (Alexandra, Johannesburg), close to mind dumps (East

Rand near Johannesburg), close to heavy industrial areas (Wentworth in

Durban), landfill sites settlement. All of these contribute to the vulnerability

of people in these settlements. The materials used to build the structures are

prone to rapidly spreading fire, they collapse and are a health risk.

Government Departments need to come together (DPLG, Housing, Health

and Social Development) to formulate relevant policies, put into place early

warning systems for preparedness, address accidents in the home and

settlements and ensure that capacity building happens at all levels. Need to

ensure that relevant legislation and systems get buy-in from stakeholders –

communities need to be involved.

It is a sensitive issue to remove shacks and relocate persons.

Lack of capacity in local governments and a need for a huge capacitation

exercise for local government.

12.2 Discussion

The issue of shack lords and shack farming was recognised as a particularly

thorny one. It was mooted as an option for local government to do in situ

upgrades of informal settlement areas, rather than relocate residents. There was

inter-departmental co-operation between the Departments of Housing and DPLG

on the issue of ongoing migration, amongst others. It was further noted that

some issues had to be addressed by communities themselves, rather than by

government.

13. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry: Mr A Muller, Director General

13.1 Challenges:

In an impoverished environment, any number of steps we have moved

forward in the eradication of poverty can be wiped out completely by a

single fire or flood event.

Risk reduction measure: what can be avoided and how? What are

mitigating measures and do we have the means to do this?

It appears that recreation is more important than human lives - relates to

planning.

If faced with the situation where there already has been development and

very expensive to move that development, can we mitigate the situation?

Need to beef up ability to control development below the floodline. This is

a challenge – how can it be effectively applied.

Funding - have national disaster management structure and national disaster

management fund, but procedures need to be streamlined.

Technical challenges include structural measures, such as flood absorption

dams, active flood warning systems and community river watch systems.

South Africa has good network of flood warning systems, but it is

questionable that these are adequate. The social challenge is also

important – a need for alternative accommodation, and the involvement of

traditional and community leaders.

The extent to which South Africa has met the objectives set by the UN

General Assembly in 1989 when they declared the period 1990 - 2000 as

the International Decade of Natural Disaster Reduction.

Municipalities need capacity to address river bank management, because to

a large extent what happens upstream in the river will have an impact on

what happens downstream.

13.2 Discussion

It was noted that dam owners were responsible for the dams in their care,

although this was monitored by the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry

(DWAF). It was suggested that vulnerable areas be used for recreation, where

flooding would not pose a threat.

14. Fires: A case study – Joe Slovo settlement – Councillor Gophe

14.1 Challenges:

Strong South-Easters prevent firebreaks from performing their role

Communities need to be close to work

15. Floods: A case study – Overberg: Councillor S Mentile / R Stevens

15.1 Challenges:

Who maintains the rivers - this affects work on river banks

Communities put blame on government and feel is their problem to return

communities to same way.

How schemes are built - need provision for services in each area.

16. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Mr K Yates,

16.1 Challenges:

Lack of scientific evidence and knowledge of disasters in

informal settlements need to distinguish between arson and

accidental fires.

Fires not properly investigated, there are criminal acts disguised as paraffin

stove accidents.

Flammable mattresses, fuels used, fire level suppression, socio-economic

factors, geographical and meteorological factors etc.

Need for adequate planning in informal settlements i.e. more space

between dwellings to allow easier access to disaster response vehicles and

personnel.

Need to involve community and local risk perceptions into disaster

management policies.

16.2 Addressing the Problem

Solutions must be cost effective and socially acceptable. Involve all

relevant role players and stakeholders, like SANDF, Fire Brigade etc.

16.3 Discussion

It was noted that fire investigation was a new science in South Africa, and a

scarce resource. It was noted that inter-sectoral co-operation was needed, and

that research had to be co-ordinated. Research was essential so that the true

causes of fires could be addressed. One of the delegates raised the fact that

many victims die after the fire, and their deaths are then not attributed to it, thus

contributing to under-reporting.

17.1 Challenges:

Lack of physical infrastructure hampered service delivery, e.g. how to

provide free basic electricity to informal settlements.

Community participation essential to ensure success in service delivery.

Alternative measures of providing basic services such new billing

technologies were being investigated.

Poor municipalities did not have an equal revenue base with affluent

communities.

Reality that poor people rely on multiple sources of energy; i.e. would use

paraffin instead of electricity.

17.2 Discussion

It was an ongoing problem that municipal accounting systems were inadequate.

This contributed to excessive use of alternative sources of energy by poor

communities. It was noted that the provision of electricity did not necessarily

eliminate the use of paraffin, as this was considerably more cost effective. Once

again, delegates raised the need for communication with communities, and the

need for effective community participation in decision-making and disaster

prevention.

18. Commission 1: Cause, effect and prevention of fire, floods and disasters in

18.1 Consideration of a variety of aspects

When looking at a proposal for a prevention strategy, it’s important that

there are different aspects that need to be considered, e.g. sociological,

economic, political, environmental and technological factors.

A process needs to be followed in terms of investigation, design and

development, early detection and empowerment, and seasonal changes.

Risks related to timeframes to be investigated.

18.2 Appropriate Planning

A proper budget has to be made available for new settlements with sufficient

money to cover cost where disasters occur, and for programmes that will be

geared to reduction and elimination of risks.

More money needs to be available for the various municipalities, e.g. Cape

Agulhas and Johannesburg, to roll out their plans

More money would also facilitate the clear implementation of the IDP plans.

A disaster management plan needs to be put in place for each province.

Appropriate developed institutional structures that would enable

municipalities to fulfil their function of disaster management

Municipalities need to be kept informed of the migration patterns of people

into their areas, in order to be able to plan appropriately.

18.3. Policy Interventions

Existing legislation to be enforced and new legislation to be prioritised.

e.g Veld and Forest Fires Act which in fact makes provision for the

establishment of a fire protection forum.

Also Inter-ministerial Disaster Management Committee

Disaster Management Act 2002 –SALGA has asked for a progress report by

municipalities by end of April 2005, on the implementation of the Act

18.4. Risk Reduction Management System

In addition to the prevention plan, we need to acknowledge that risks,

hazards and vulnerabilities cannot be eliminated completely, but

municipalities need to have a clear risk reduction management system in

place.

18.5. Service Delivery to Risk Areas

There has to be consistent service delivery, e.g. refuse removal, as well as

maintenance of services rendered.

18.6 Research

Relevant research that will inform hazard and vulnerable risk areas in human

settlements.

18.7 Capacity building

Capacity building through training for ward councillors and ward

committees is essential as these are important people in the implementation

of legislation. This must be applicable to all spheres of government.

There needs to be ongoing community education about risks, hazards and

vulnerabilities in their communities.

19. Commission 2: Provision and Construction of Safe Houses

19.1 Lack of Adequate Data or Information Systems on Areas Prone to Disasters

Preventative and Causal Effects)

19.2 Proposal: There is a dire need to do the following:

Promptly collect relevant data on areas (Urban/Peri-Urban and Rural) that

are prone to disasters (Floods or Fires).

Ensure that the gathered data is turned into a user-friendly data-base catering

for specific preventive and causal mechanisms

Ensure that the necessary resources and capacity, available for this

processes, are used optimally to cater for disaster prone areas

Ensure that in areas where there are no capacity or resources, such resources

are made available by competent authorities (individually or collaboratively)

19.3 Lack of Suitable land to settle people from disaster prone areas

19.4 Proposal: Ensure the existence and use of a Land Identification, Acquisition and

Development Programme:

Land acquired through negotiations with Municipalities and Public Entities;

Suitably located Land identified and acquired from Private individuals

(Negotiated settlements or applicable appropriation – qualified public need

with no other alternative); That should be the area that is highly prioritized

Serviced sites for persons to be relocated (Qualifying Government

Beneficiaries – Land, services plus Top Structure; Non-Qualifying

Beneficiaries – Serviced Sites: People (Bank Defaulters; previous home

owners etc) afforded an opportunity to construct own structures within

applicable quality control measures;

Preventative measures ensuring No-Unplanned Land Occupation – The

demise of mushrooming informal settlement that end being areas prone to

disasters

19.5 Lack or limited levels of Community Consultations on proposed developments

to move away from disaster Prone Areas

19.6 Proposal: For every programme, planned, developed and implemented with

regard to human settlement development (Taking preventive or causal measures

on disaster prone areas), there must be prompt and relevant consultation with

Ward Councillors/Officials/Committees etc:

Identified and confirmed Areas prone to disasters

Levels of involvement – complementing administrative bodies operational in

affected areas or likely to be affected

19.7 Minimal Compliance, Irrelevant or too Rigid or Absent

19.8 Proposal: Ensure that compliance authorities such as NHBRC, SABS etc take

into consideration the following:

Exact Needs: Identified, investigated and confirmed areas with regard to

related development;

Use of Alternative/Indigenous Building technologies e.g. What works for

rural areas vs. urban areas; fires that are experienced in rural areas must be

catered for.

19.9 Lack or Minimal Collaborative Prioritization & Monitoring

20. Proposal: Areas to be prioritized as per area of need:

Confirm areas of need;

Oversight bodies monitoring

21. Commission 3: The Use Of Energy Sources In Preventing Disasters

There are a number of existing strategies, but they need to be integrated

into a national household energy strategy

Currently, reactive approach to disaster management. There is a need to

focus on risk reduction strategies, which are more long-term.

Ongoing education and training of communities and the strengthening of

community leadership is important.

Stakeholder identification to ensure integration: Fire Services, Local

Government, Communities, business, Department of Health, Department of

Education, SABS

Risk mitigation activities already being undertaken by communities -

need to identify, explore and support these.

Need for Parliamentarians to be cognisant of research results as a basis

for action

21.1 This Conference called Develop from existing strategies a national integrated

household energy strategy for low income households that:

on the government to:

Ensures that citizens have sustained access to affordable, clean and safe

energy that does not cause damage to their health and well-being, nor the

environment

Ensures that all the necessary legislation and enforcement mechanisms exist

that allow households to reduce risks

Ensures that users have the necessary information to use energy and

appliances safely

Ensures that all low-income houses built should be designed in a way that

takes cognizance of the reality that poor households use multiple fuels for

their domestic energy requirements

Ensures that all low-cost housing be energy efficient, with sound ventilation

Need to fast-track developments in alternative energy like solar, wind to

allow users freedom of choice

Ensure development of standards for enforcement, and ongoing monitoring

of enforcement.

22. Commission 4: Developing An Integrated And Holistic National Disaster

22.1 Disaster Management Act

The commission agrees that the Act is a brilliant piece of legislation but must

become a living document. The DMA creates an enabling environment for the

prevention and management of disasters by all spheres of government. Policies

and strategies must cascade into practical and feasible Action Plans and

Procedures for the execution at community level.

Enabling environment especially at operational level

Report directly to the municipal manager

Own budget allocation

22.2 Community Empowerment

Paradigm shift to empower communities for the first response mechanism;

Training and educational modules on disaster management;

Volunteer recruitment on a number of modules, must be registered to qualify for

insurance an out of pocket expenses, they also qualify for S&T at level 12

(Deputy Director)

Note: compensation vs payment

22.3 Funding strategy

Equitable share formula include disaster management

% of the National Contingency Reserve Fund to be put aside for disaster

management – Presidency?

Inter Ministerial Committee chaired by Departments of Provincial and Local

Government and Housing to place the issue of disaster management as a

standing item on its agenda, this will allow for coordinated interventions by

government across spheres.

22.4 Partnerships

Public/public to include civil society structures

Public/private

Innovative systems to be encouraged using Municipal Infrastructure Grants

22.5 Interim Measures

The gap between formal and informal housing needs to be narrowed.

In the short term:

DOH must set minimum standards for housing victims of disasters;

Temporary must be defined so that it does not exceed 4 months

In the medium to long term:

An innovative product must be designed which must be cost effective with

non-flammable materials, to be the temporary structure.

23. Department of Minerals and Energy: Ms L Xingwana, Deputy Minister

It was the Department of Minerals and Energy‘s responsibility to ensure that

people had access to energy. Paraffin and paraffin stoves had been identified as

major causes of injuries and death The Department should act to prevent these

disasters given that these products were regulated by it. The government had

provided free basic electricity to millions of people. Alternative sources of

energy had to be provided to those who did not have access to electricity. The

use of Liquid Petroleum and Gas (LPG) would greatly diminish the health and

safety risk associated with other fuels. The Department was negotiating with the

oil and gas industry with to view to making gas more affordable. She pledged

her Department’s support to the Committee’s activities.

24. Adoption of the Declaration

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ms G Mahlangu-Nkabinde, led the

conference in adopting the Declaration (herein attached).

NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHALLENGES OF FIRE AND

FLOODS IN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS: 19 -20 APRIL 2005,

OLD ASSEMBLY CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT, CAPE TOWN

We, the representatives of diverse sectors of our South African society, assembled at the

Old Assembly Chamber in the National Parliament of the Republic of South Africa,

from 19 to 20 April 2005, under the theme "Challenges of Fire and Floods in Human

Settlements", are propelled by a burning desire to create sustainable human settlements

in our country.

We note that this historic conference has brought together people from different

backgrounds, carrying a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience in the areas Fire

and Floods in Human Settlement, accordingly acknowledge the immense contribution

made by the first Minister of Housing, the late Joe Slovo and this year we mark the 10th

Anniversary of his death.

We reaffirm our unflinching commitment to prevent fire and floods in human

settlements and commit ourselves to enhance the creation of sustainable human

settlements by tackling the challenges of fire and floods in these settlements.

At the beginning of this conference, we noted that the physical devastations, emotional

effects and financial implications of fire and floods in human settlements have

catastrophic consequences for poor people living in these settlements, and accordingly

challenged all of us that through our actions, to prevent these environmental hazards.

We recognise the reality that housing is one of the greatest challenges facing the poor

communities in South Africa and accept that the extent of this challenge does not only

derive from rural to urban migration and the enormous size of the housing backlog, but

also accept that the problems of fire and floods in human settlements is exacerbated by

the desperation of the homeless to find themselves adequate shelter fit for human

habitation.

We observe that despite monumental achievements South Africa has made during the

First Decade of Freedom to provide access to adequate housing, particularly to poor

people, housing still constitute a daunting challenge facing South Africa and that the

proliferation of informal settlements makes this form of shelter a major contemporary

urban residential landscape.

We further note that many people are still living in backyard shacks erected on

residential properties in formal legal townships and in free standing informal

settlements clustered as informal structures where unemployment, diseases, poverty and

crime are rife.

Accordingly, many people resort to living in informal settlements as a result of the

enormous housing backlog. As such, these people in these settlements suffer severely

from lack of proper maintenance of urban infrastructure and services; inadequate

shelter; social dysfunctionality; poor sanitation; environmental degradation and poverty

which at some point reach crisis proportions.

The outbreaks of fire and floods compound these problems. We realise that poor

communities especially those in informal settlements are vulnerable and exposed to

environmental hazards especially fire and floors because among others they use energy

sources that are often harmful to their health and detrimental to the environment; they

do not take preventative measures against floods; and they lack the necessary training

and knowledge to deal with these hazards whenever they occur.

In line with government’s integrated, comprehensive housing strategy i.e. "Breaking

New Ground", which seeks to create sustainable human settlements, we assume

collective responsibility to help and advance the spiritual and material well being of

poor people, especially those who are often ravaged by fire and floods in human

settlements by embarking on determined and drastic actions and measures necessary to

tackle the problems on hand.

We reaffirm our pledge to place particular attention to, and give priority to focus on the

challenges to prevent fire and floods in human settlements. To achieve this goal, this

National Conference resolves to:

Take joint actions and improve efforts to work together at all levels, united by

our determination to prevent fire and floods in human settlements;

Ensure that all the necessary national legislation, policy and regulatory

frameworks are created to regulate, control and prevent fire and floods in

human settlements; and where these frameworks are available, they have to be

enforced;

Strengthen partnerships between all sectors of our society including

government, non-government organisations, community based organisations,

the private sector to take drastic actions to create sustainable human settlements;

Develop national funding programs which aimed at both emergency relief and

disaster management and prevention and ensure that the equitable share and the

contingency reserve funds incorporate disaster management budget;

Encourage the use and development of safe alternative fuels and other energy

sources and focus on long-term risk reduction strategies;

Provide enabling environments for disaster management, promote proactive fire

and floods management through risk reduction programs and manage

emergencies and disasters and their consequences in a coordinated, efficient and

effective manner;

Develop national awareness-raising programs to prevent fire and floods in

human settlements and to promote training and empowerment of people often

affected by these environmental hazards;

Conduct research and collect user friendly data on all the disaster prone areas

and identify suitable land to resettle communities after by disasters and put all

measures necessary to prevent people from illegally occupying land;

Engage and consult all important stakeholders in disaster management

especially the communities, community organisations and statutory ward

committees in the planning, implementation and monitoring of disaster

management programs;

Encourage government at all levels to take fire and floods considerations into

account in decision making processes including the Integrated Development

Planning, investment in infrastructure and financing of programs to prevent fire

and floods in human settlements;

Encourage provinces to hold similar conferences on challenges of fire and

floods in human settlements given the nature, occurrences and the extent of fire

and floods in various province;

Monitor progress at regular intervals in terms of the implementation of the

resolutions take in this Conference.

We express our deepest gratitude to all the individuals and organisations, which

participated in this conference and to the Portfolio Committee on Housing for its

generous hospitality, and excellent arrangements made for this conference on the

"Challenges of Fire and Floods in Human Settlements".

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The Portfolio Committee recommends that parliament should send the report

that came from the conference to all provinces and their municipalities; and that

such recommendations should be taken seriously by parliament.

Ms ZA Kota-Fredericks ANC (Chairperson)

Mr S Abram ANC

Ms BN Dambuza ANC

Mr TS Dodovu ANC

Mr DC Mabena ANC

Mr ZS Mkhize ANC

Mr LJ Modisenyane ANC

Ms SH Ntombela ANC

Ms MM Ramakaba-Lesia ANC

Mr GD Schneemann ANC

Ms NJ Ngele ANC

Mr MR Sonto ANC

Mr AC Steyn DA

Mr RB Bhoola MF

R Abdullah ANC Women’s League

N Ahmed Paraffin Safety Association

N Bavuma Development Officer

J Bayet National Department of Housing

X Bebula Rural Housing Loan Fund (RHLF)

C Beer-Winkel City of Cape Town

S Brown Nelson Mandela Metro: Disaster Management

N Caluza OR Tambo District Municipality

S Carstens DDG: Department of LG & Housing

V Charlton Working on Fire

T Diko Department of Housing

M Dlabantu Department of Housing

B Drost Department of Housing

R Duncan T Homes

T Gebashe Umzimvubu Municipality

H Gcuwa ANC Women’s League

M Gillion ANCWL: Overberg

X Gophe City of Cape Town

D Gopie Malibongwe Women Development

S Gouws Women’s Global Network

V Gusha African Green Heat

R Hoogbaard Northern Cape: Department of Housing

T Human Thubelisha Homes

P Johnson BFT/Siyanda oil (Pty) Ltd.

M Joka SANCO

B Jones Children of Fire Trust

R Kgware Ebuyile/ EMP Holdings

M Kosile SANCO

I Le Roux Women’s Global Network

P Lehotla Statistician General

N Lwana Western Cape

S Mabutho Women’s Global Network

T Magopane Imbaula Factory

P Maluleke The Banking Association of SA

B Maningi Umzimvubu Municipality

D Maphosi-Guy Peer Africa

S Maqetuka Western Cape

L Maralack North West: Department of Social Services

T Marimane Department of Housing

U Marshall Bellevue

N Matebese Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality

N Matinise Metro Region

N Mbele ANC Youth League

P Meko Eastern Cape Province

T Memani Chris Hani Municipality

M Menisi Western Cape

E Mentile Overberg

K Mkhize Western Cape: Social Services

P Mlonyeni-Guzana OR Tambo District Municipality

D Mntungwa Department of Water Affairs

B Modisakeng Tshwane Metro

P Moeng Delivery Magazine

R Mojalefa Department of Social Development

S Mkhize Kwazulu-Natal

P Moko Eastern Cape: Local Government & Housing

R Molefe Social Development

M Moroka Servon Housing Solutions

J Morrissey Livelihoods Programme

E Mothelesi Kimberley Local Government & Housing

F Msila SANCO

N Msuthu SANCO

LP Mulaudzi Limpopo Local Government & Housing

S Mxolose SALGA

NF Ndandani Councillor: Ward 42

E Ndlovu Councillor Johannesburg Metro Council

M Ndou Ibuyile/ EMP Holdings

P Nel Women’s Global Network

N Nika SANCO

D Nozizwe ANC Women’s League

A Ntebe Western Cape: Department of Social Services

C Ntotoviyane City of Cape Town

M Oliphant Kwazulu-Natal

J Olivier Imbaula Generation

T Papu Eastern Cape Local Government & Housing

B Paton Pietermaritzburg: Fire and Disaster

D Petros Africa Green Heat

G Pillay City of Cape Town: Disaster Management

J Rikhotso Gauteng Disaster Management

E Samuels City of Cape Town: Department of Housing

G Schulze SA Weather Service

P Sekulisa Free State Local Government & Housing

B Serema Sizisa Ukhanyo – Cape Town

R Sherman Liquifire (Pty) Ltd

X Sibeko Department of Provincial & Local Government

W Sidina City of Cape Town

C Simo HOPA

C Singh Paraffin Safety Association

CA Smith Northern Cape: LG& Housing

W Solomons City of Cape Town: Disaster Management

L Sonn Disaster Management: Sustainable Livelihoods

M Sontshatsha SANCO

T Stefano SANCO

R Stevens ANC: Overberg

D Swart Paraffin Safety Association

G Thwala Tshwane Metro

G Truran Paraffin Safety Association

E Van der Mervwe Tygerberg Burn Unit

T Vilo Community Development Worker

N Vumindaba ANC: Women’s League

K Yates CSIR

L Zingitwa-Gologolo Ukhahlamba Disaster Management

Mr M Mzizi MP

Mr T Zulu MP

Ms MN Oliphant

Mr N Mthethwa

Mr RJ Tau MP

Mr N Mack MP

Ms BN Dlulane MP

Mr F Adams