Minister Zweli Mkhize to lead South Africa’s celebration of IDDR on Nov 16

The International Day for Disaster Reduction was started in 1989 after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr Zweli Mkhize will lead South Africa's celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) in Upington, Northern Cape on the 16th of November 2018.

The International Day for Disaster Reduction was started in 1989 after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. The day celebrates how people and communities around the world reduce their exposure to disasters and raise awareness about the need to reduce the risks.

The theme this year focuses on reducing disaster economic losses in relation to global GDP by 2030 and is entitled; "Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience".

The government will, with the 2018 celebration, emphasise that reducing exposure to hazards, lessening the vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, improving preparedness and early warning for adverse events are all important and will surely assist in medium to long term to reduce the risk of disasters.

The significance of commemorating IDDR lies in the fact that through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) countries can build resilience to disasters, promote sustainable development, protect persons and their property, livelihoods, health, as well as cultural and environmental assets.

Minister Mkhize will be joined by the MEC responsible for Local Government in the Northern Cape, Mr Bentley Vass and the Mayor of Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality, Ms Limakatso Koloi as well as key stakeholders including councillors, emerging farmers, Traditional leaders and representatives of private sector institutions.

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)