The ever-evolving disa ster risk

by Jody Wentzel, jodyw@elsenburg.com

TThe Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA), through its dedicated Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) sub-programme, has been at the forefront of supporting the farming community during the current drought. With the worst of the drought behind us, it seems, the DRR unit has shifted its focus to disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and disaster mitigation.

Previously, the biannual veld assessments were highlighted and how the outcomes of these veld assessments affected the level of support farmers received. Based on the outcomes of the veld assessments, many areas were categorised as good or recovered and farmers in those identified areas would therefore not receive drought support. It was realised, however, that the veld assessments only focused on the veld condition in relation to the drought. Whereas the veld assessment could be used as a decision-making tool, it was focused too narrowly on the drought and its impact. What was needed was a holistic approach including all potential hazards a ecting the Western Cape.

This approach resulted in the evolution from veld assessment to disaster risk assessment. The veld assessment no longer became the crux for decision-making, but the inputs from officials and farmers