Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

1. The recent flooding in the Western Cape necessitated a widespread effort from multiple government agencies, local municipalities, and civil society organizations. The primary objectives were to mitigate the disaster's effects, safeguard lives, and furnish critical assistance. The subsequent groups were instrumental in coordinating the response:

• Western Cape Department of Local Government’s Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre (WC: PDMC);
• Western Cape Department of Local Government
• South African Weather Services (SAWS);
• National Department of Water and Sanitation;
• Metro, District and local disaster management centres;
• Local and District municipalities
• Western Cape Department of Infrastructure;                             
• Western Cape Department of Mobility;
• Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness: Emergency Medical Services; 
• Western Cape Department of Agriculture;
• Western Cape Department of Social Development; 
• Western Cape Education Department;
• The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL);          
• Greater Cederberg Fire Protection Association;                       
• Eskom;
• South African Police Services (SAPS)
• South African National Defence Force (SANDF);
• Gift of the Givers;
• South African Red Cross Society;
• Kishugu Aviation;
• Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA); and
• National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

(b)      The WC: PDMC activated the Joint Operations Centre and the above organisations to coordinate the flooding event from 14-19 June 2023. The objectives were to:

• Ensured integrated and continuous risk monitoring such as impact base weather forecasting, the monitoring of dam levels, electricity disruptions and impacts on communities;
• Ensure the coordinated response to save lives and minimise the impact on the environment, agriculture and infrastructure through daily JOC meetings with stakeholders;
• Proactive coordination responses such as the evacuation of communities at risk;
• Coordinate and provide humanitarian relief to affected communities in the affected across the Province, particularly the Cederberg Municipality area;
• Ensure daily awareness and reporting national and provincial role-players; and
• Continuous Public awareness and communication.