By Nangamso Mabindla
1 February 2006

BUFFALO City will be the first city in the Amathole District to pilot a Disaster Risk Management project.

The project, a joint initiative between the South African and Swedish governments, aims to limit the effects of any disasters that may occur. It will ensure a united approach from all three tiers of government - national, provincial and municipal - when planning to manage any disaster.

Buffalo City's communications manager Darby Gounden said it was important to prevent human, economic and property losses, as well as environmental degradation, after a disaster.

"We are happy to be part of the national project," said Gounden. "We always feel we need to move away from being reactive when in the face of disasters and this will allow us to take a more pro-active stance and avoid losses."

The project also aims to create an integrated strategy for the province.

The City was chosen because of its advanced disaster management strategy. "We have very good plans in our city, but we do feel that we can always improve and this pilot will assist us in that direction," Gounden added.

"Lessons learnt here in our city will also be used to assist other cities according to their needs."

The project would also include an education and information component. Communities living in disaster-prone areas would be taught what action to take before disaster struck. In terms of the City, places like Duncan Village in East London and some of the rural areas were more prone to disasters such as fire and flooding.

"Some residents do not know what to do in times of disaster. This project will educate them about measures to take to avoid heavy losses," she said.

Buffalo City would select two disaster-prone areas for particular attention. "We plan to have one in East London as an urban area and a rural village in King Williams Town."

Workshops to plan for the project are already underway. The strategies would then be put in place by July.