MEC launches winter disaster campaign
The intervention being rolled out by MEC Hlomuka will ensure that communities are properly equipped and trained in the rolling out of firebreaks, which mitigate the impact of veld fires.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Sipho Hlomuka launched the provincial Winter Season Disaster Awareness Campaign on Thursday.
A statement from CoGTA explains that the launch of this campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers posed by inclement weather conditions during winter, which is a time when the province experiences extreme cold, veld fires and structural fires caused by the unattended use of candles and heating appliances.
The department has partnered with municipalities in rolling out firebreaks in rural communities. Through this campaign, the department is working closely with disaster management teams at municipal level and non-governmental organisations to educate communities.
Through the campaign, people are educated about issues such as the correct use of generators, gas, candles and paraffin stoves, veld fire awareness, house fire and informal settlement fire awareness, strong winds, illegal connections, drought and snowfall.
‘’In the last five days, the province has lost nine lives as a result of structural fires. The rural communities surrounding Mthonjaneni Local Municipality have suffered immensely because of veld fires that caused destruction and loss of life over the past couple of years. The intervention being rolled out by MEC Hlomuka will ensure that communities are properly equipped and trained in the rolling out of firebreaks, which mitigate the impact of veld fires.’’
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