A R1,4 million state of the art Disaster Management Centre was officially opened to perform the disaster management function efficiently and proactively in the Buffalo City Municipal areas. This is in compliance with the recommended national standards for a disaster centre. The Buffalo City Disaster Management Centre has operated out of Flat 2 since its establishment in 1986.

The total refurbishment includes the purchase of equipment like Geographic Information System (GIS), soft and hardware, radio and telephones, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and security systems.

The software system equips BCM disaster management officials to assess risks to start mitigation and prevention programmes to limit the impact of disasters.

The UPS is capable of supplying 80 percent of the centre with power for two hours. The 2002 floods have highlighted the inadequacy of the centre in terms of space and facilities. Funding to refurbish the centre came from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Provincial Department of Housing and Local Government.

The centre provides a focal point where stakeholders in disaster management co-ordinate their activities and make decisions thereby improving on response time and reducing delays and duplication.

Speaking at the opening function Mayor Sindisile Maclean said he hoped that the centre would be of good use during disaster situations. He also thanked SIDA and the Provincial Government for providing funding to refurbish the centre.

Ends.
Issued by
Communications Department
For more information please contact: M Ngam on 043-705 1124 or 082 414 7742