BuaNews (Tshwane)
Candace Freeman
22 January 2004
Pretoria — Government today announced a R250 million allocation to combat the devastating impact that continuous droughts have had on various parts of the country bringing the total amount given out so far to half a billion Rand.
This allocation, to be distributed in the current financial year, is in addition to the R250 million Government has already made available to affected sectors and communities.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting, yesterday.
Briefing media in Pretoria today, Government chief spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said Cabinet decided to increase the funds available after having assessed the continuing impact of the drought and possible medium to long-term implications.
"Cabinet views this continuous spell of drought quite seriously. The major area of concern for government is the decreasing levels of underground water which has become a big problem in certain districts," he said.
R60 million of the new funds made available will be used for emergency relief to vulnerable rural communities.
A further R30 million will be used for the provision of fodder for livestock to established and emerging farmers.
The remaining R160 million is to be used for water provision for human and livestock consumption, safeguarding of boreholes and the prevention of communicable diseases in affected poor rural communities.
Mr Netshitenzhe also said a further allocation of R500 million would be considered in the next financial year for long-term interventions.
"These interventions include further improvement in the country's early warning capabilities and agricultural sector strategies to avoid long-term dependency on aid," he said.
Cabinet further proposed the setting up of executive provincial and municipal co-coordinating committees in order to ensure effectiveness of the interventions.
"It was also agreed that the Food Price Monitoring Committee should, especially in this period, pay particular attention to the changes in food prices to prevent any unethical behaviour in the industry," said Mr Netshitenzhe.
The Interdepartmental Disaster Management Committee, headed by Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, will continue monitoring the situation on an on going basis.
Interventions implemented by the department included provision of fodder, emergency water supply, salvaging state timber, repairing water infrastructure and in some areas post-flood rehabilitation.
Areas affected by the dry spell include Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Northern Cape and parts of Mpumalanga.
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