Councillor Carl Pophaim, the City’s mayoral committee member for human settlements, has called for a more effective approach to fire and flood relief, advocating for the decentralisation of disaster relief funding.
In a recent statement, Councillor Pophaim highlighted the challenges faced by the City’s residents, particularly those affected by fires, under the current relief process, which is led by the national government and the Ministry of Human Settlements.
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Councillor Pophaim noted that the current process often leaves victims without timely assistance. He recalled the previous system where the City of Cape Town could provide emergency building kits to fire and flood victims within 24 to 48 hours without waiting for national disaster funding. This immediate help was halted when the City’s R35 million relief budget was discontinued.
Cape Town annually grapples with fires that could ravage around 6 200 structures, costing about R44 million. Accessing national disaster funding under the current system is a lengthy process. Previously, the City’s rapid response with fire kits meant help could be offered swiftly, a practice that has now ceased.
These kits included doors, windows, walls and roofs coated with fire-retardant products, significantly aiding in rebuilding efforts. The intervention not only provided immediate relief but also ensured safer rebuilding practices.
While the City’s teams continue to offer soft relief and help in debris clearing, the absence of emergency housing kits significantly hampers their efficiency.
Councillor Pophaim emphasised that with the growing informality in Cape Town, it is crucial for residents in informal settlements to live with dignity and receive prompt and efficient assistance in emergencies.
Councillor Pophaim has formally requested the National Minister of Human Settlements to consider decentralising disaster relief funding. He argued that direct access to such funding is essential for cities like Cape Town, especially in the face of national budget cuts to housing grants.
The City has reportedly spent 99.3% of its more than R880 million capital budget in the 2022/23 financial year on improving living conditions for vulnerable households.
Some R2.5 billion of the capital budget has been allocated for human settlement projects over the next three years.
As the City anticipates the windy and dry months ahead, Councillor Pophaim has expressed a keen interest in collaborating with all stakeholders to enhance emergency responses.