The recent occurrence of disasters particularly flooding, fires, drought, and heat stress has given rise to this partnership.

The Climate Disaster Resilience Fund (CDRF) and Sishen Iron Ore Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) have established this partnership which will translate into a strategy to plan for and respond to disasters and will detail the ‘what’, ‘how’, ‘who’ and ‘when’ of actions required before and during a disaster.

Kumba Iron Ore Limited created SIOC-CDT to make investments in the development of the areas where the company operates.  

To prepare for and respond to disasters, the CDRF collaborates with other technical partners including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South African Weather Services, and relief organisations.

“The CDRF is an independent non-profit company, governed by an independent board. Our vision and strategy are aimed at building resilience in local communities through risk reduction and adaptation,” said Simon Morilly, Operational Head of the CDRF.

“We believe a partnership with the Climate and Disaster Resilience Fund (CDRF) will bring with it the technical assistance required for SIOC-CDT to prepare communities and assist in responding to such disasters,” he said.

The Trust has made major investments in community development initiatives aimed at guaranteeing sustainability beyond mining operations.

The beneficiary areas cover the Gamagara Municipality, the Ga-Segonyana Municipality, the Joe Morolong Municipality, the Tsantsabane Municipality, and the Thabazimbi Municipality.

The programmes carried out in the Northern Cape and Limpopo provinces throughout the years have had a positive effect outside of the recipient areas.

The initiatives have also helped the provincial and regional economies thrive economically and create jobs while maintaining social stability.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame