GOVERNMENT PRESS STATEMENT

NO: 02/2013

 

BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER

DR B.S.S.DLAMINI

ON THE RECENT STORM DAMAGE IN THE COUNTRY

Tuesday 26 February 2013

 

His Majesty’s Government was shocked and concerned at the devastation caused by the storm that hit our country on Wednesday 20 February 2013, in particular its impact in the Shiselweni, Manzini and Lubombo regions. Our deepest condolences go to the family of the person killed in the storm, as well as to the many people who sustained damage to their homes and, in some cases, serious personal injury.

As the general public will be aware, the Deputy Prime Minister and the team responsible for disaster management, which included the Minister for Economic Planning and Development, and the Minister for Public Works and Transport, visited the respective sites and launched a rescue operation which focused initially on the provision of food, blankets and tented accommodation for the many people affected by the storm. Assisted by a number of people and organisations, Government was thus able to provide a measure of assistance and relief to those found most vulnerable by the storm.

There is still a great deal to do to restore normality in the areas affected. A number of additional measures have been necessary in the aftermath of the storm. The Minister for Health has, accordingly, been instructed to provide all necessary medical supplies. This includes not only medicines necessary for the treatment of injuries but also drugs and pharmaceuticals, such as antiretroviral medication, that have been lost in the storm. HIV patients are asked to contact their nearest clinic, or Ministry of Health personnel who are on site, to obtain further supplies of ARVs in order not disturb the routine of their treatment.

An Interim Report on the storm damage and the needs of the respective communities has been submitted to Cabinet by the Deputy Prime Minister. Following Cabinet’s review of that Report I am announcing today that Government will immediately allocate E4 million for assistance to the areas affected by the storm. However, Government will review and, if necessary, allocate more funds. The money will be spent rebuilding and repairing homes and schools and making good other damage that was incurred. The work will be undertaken under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport which will ensure that sound building principles are followed to ensure better protection in the event of future storms of similar intensity.  

The Micro-Projects Unit of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development will also be assisting, in particular in the rebuilding of schools. And, in keeping with the objective of that Unit’s work in the country, we will encourage local people to assist as much as possible.

The negative effects of climate change are becomingly increasingly evident and Government takes the opportunity to issue the general advice to the Nation to ensure that new building work does, wherever possible, incorporate wind-breaking measures.

Finally, may I express the deepest gratitude of His Majesty’s Government to the people and organisations that have given such valuable humanitarian and material assistance to alleviate the traumatic impact of the storm. These include the Red Cross, World Vision, UNICEF and UNFPA among others. Our appreciation also goes to the Swaziland Electricity Company for its power reconnection work.

May God comfort those affected by the storm and give them the strength to recover in body and mind.

 

Dr. B. Sibusiso Dlamini

Prime Minister

26 February 2013