agri sa

Agri SA has welcomed the declaration of a state of disaster. Image: Getty

Agri SA says state of disaster must accelerate flood relief funding

Agri SA has welcomed the declaration of a state of disaster to address the damage caused by floods around the country.

agri sa

Agri SA has welcomed the declaration of a state of disaster. Image: Getty

Agri SA has welcomed the declaration of a state of disaster to address the damage caused by floods in the seven of the nine country’s provinces.

ALSO READ: Twelve people killed in the FLOODS around the country

The Government declared a national state of disaster on Monday after heavy downpours caused severe flooding.

SEVERAL PROVINCES AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS

The affected provinces are the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, and North West Provinces.

Agri SA spokesperson, Andrea Campher says the recent floods have damaged the farmers’ produce, property, and livelihoods.

“As farmers face untold damage to their produce, property, and livelihoods, the declaration must be followed by the deployment of resources to provide relief to farmers and rebuild critical infrastructure damaged by the floods.” She added that the floods have destroyed critical infrastructure.

ALSO READ: Floods: At least two confirmed dead in Mpumalanga

CALLS FOR HELP FROM COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE

Campher adds that the farming sector has called on the Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for help.

This is to put measures in place to ensure the deployment of relief funding in a ‘transparent and accountable manner’.

“We trust that the national disaster management centre and the auditor-general’s office will play their role in this regard. Agri SA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to members through our collaboration with the NDMC,” she says.

ALSO READ: Look: CROCODILE ALERT in small Mpumalanga town amid floods

FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

Campher says the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister, Nkosazana Zuma’s announcement follows a week of heavy rainfall with more rain expected.

“We encourage farmers to complete the impact assessments provided by the respective provincial disaster management centres to account for the damages suffered due to inclement weather.”

ALSO READ: Floods: Mpumalanga municipality working towards suitable land

Meanwhile, Ehlanzeni District Municipality Mayor, Jesta Sidell says she is working with the Human Settlements Department in Mpumalanga to identify suitable land for victims of the floods in the province.