DECIMATED – DESTROYED - DEVASTATED
When calamity strikes, local and national government do not have the infrastructure, resources or manpower to respond adequately and effectively. In numerous crises (both natural and manmade), civil society has had to rally to the cry for help in the immediate aftermath, in the subsequent rehabilitation of affected communities and in the longer-term preparation for mitigation of future calamities.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Agenda set global aims such as eliminating poverty, providing clean water and sanitation for all, and guaranteeing peace, and justice. These disasters often interrupt progress in achieving these aims.
What Does God Say We Should Do?
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Sustainable Development Goals
National Development Plan
This plan envisions a South Africa where everyone feels free yet bounded to others; where everyone embraces their full potential, a country where opportunity is determined not by birth, but by ability, education and hard work.
Founded to serve and protect society's most vulnerable.
Steps to rebuilding in the wake of a disaster.
PREPAREDNESS
By pooling skills and resources with like-minded groups, well-defined roles and structures are in place to mitigate the effects of future disasters. Preparedness is key, with a 24-hour turn-around time to respond effectively and efficiently in the event of disaster. The ensuing recovery and rebuilding process must be both physical and psychological.
SKILLS TRAINING
Systems are in place for effective mitigation preparedness, so that on-the-ground needs, (who, what and where the stakeholders are) are known, so those affected by disaster can access relief most effectively, and distribution data be inputted into a single platform showing where relief has been distributed and ensuring double distribution is avoided.
Community resilience is established through social-cohesion and psychosocial workshops in severely affected areas, so that, in the event of future disasters, communities ‘see each other’ and cooperate.
2023 Reflection
DRU was year of consolidation with methodical attention on building resilient communities, who are able to fend for themselves in the wake of a disaster’s immediate aftermath.
This outcome was as a result of relationship building amongst government departments, faith-based organisations and with the use of technology tools and digital communication platforms to create online access systems to map services and resources to streamline the complexities of the DRU terrain.
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Peanut Butter For Better Results
Matric students at Siyabonga Secondary School, Lwazi Goqo and Andiswa Mhlongo know how a daily peanut butter sandwich makes a difference to her long hours of study.
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