Page 35 - Research Report 2025.1

Financial Grants and Reconstruction Efforts by Government Departments
Participants noted the critical support provided by government sector departments and agencies. Focus group participants noted that each sector department has specific functions and responsibilities in disaster response. The participant further highlighted the role of COGTA (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) and the national disaster management center, which provide emergency response grants to help local governments rebuild infrastructure and restore services after disasters.
Focus group participants 2. “And then the COGTA. Through the provincial and the national
1. “And then sector departments as identified,
each sector department has got the leading
function, and they would come in and respond as according to their day to day, activities and responsibilities.”
Emergency Relief and Infrastructure Support from NGOs
NGOs and charitable foundations such as Gift of the Givers,Alumdad Foundation, and the Red Cross provide critical emergency relief to communities during disasters, particularly in addressing food and water shortages. Participant 1 shared that these organisations typically step in after damage assessments are conducted, responding to identified gaps by distributing food parcels and, in times of drought, providing boreholes to ensure a reliable water supply for both communities and livestock. This immediate support helps mitigate the worst impacts of crises, ensuring that communities can sustain themselves during difficult times.
disaster management centre will receive emergency response grants for responding to emergency response funds and reconstruction and rehabilitation grants in terms of rebuilding back Whatever it was affected by”.
Focus group participant
“The gift like, I have mentioned the gift of the givers, Aludad Foundation. What is this? Red Cross. Usually, when we when we have, conducted the damage impact assessment and identified the needs of the communities.They would come in and support with whatever it is that should be have outlined as the gaps in the in the communities. Mostly, it would be, provision of food parcels.And then I remember during the time of droughts, they would, Alumdad, they would, provide boreholes so that there would be availability of water in the in for the communities and the and the animals”.
Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening by the Private Sector
The private sector, particularly companies like Santam and Old Mutual, focuses on capacity building to improve the disaster management skills of local practitioners. Participant 2 explained that these companies provide training and assistance to disaster management committees, helping them understand their responsibilities and enhance their capacity to deal with disasters. This support strengthens the institutional arrangements within local municipalities, ensuring they are better prepared to respond to crises, thereby minimizing the negative impact on local economies and sources of income.
Focus group participant
And then the private sectors, for instance, your Santam and the and the old mutual are assisting mostly on capacity building of the practitioners to be able to the practitioners and also the institutional arrangements in terms of committees, in terms of understanding what is it that is our responsibility, what is it that we need, that what is it that we need to do, in in terms of, enhancing our capacity to deal with the disasters in the in the in in all the local municipalities of the Alfred Ndzo.
SOME KEY IMPLICATIONS
1. Timeliness and Efficiency of Grant Disbursement
The reliance on government grants for reconstruction highlights the need for timely and efficient disbursement of funds. Delays in receiving these grants can prolong the recovery process,leaving communities vulnerable and unable to resume their livelihoods. The implication here is that improving the speed at which grants are processed and distributed is critical to ensuring that disaster-affected areas recover quickly. Streamlined processes, transparent communication, and accountability mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that funds are disbursed efficiently and reach the communities that need them the most.
2. Long-Term Infrastructure Investment
While the emergency response grants provided by COGTA are crucial for rebuilding infrastructure, there is a need for a more strategic, long-term investment in resilient infrastructure. The focus on post-disaster recovery often means that infrastructure is rebuilt to its previous standards, which may not be sufficient to withstand future disasters. The implication is that grants should not only be used for reconstruction but also for upgrading infrastructure to be more resilient to future crises. This includes building disaster-resistant roads, water systems, and housing that can better withstand extreme weather events, thereby reducing vulnerability and future recovery costs.
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