Latest news with #nationaldisaster
ABC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
What would declaring a toxic algal bloom as 'national disaster' mean for SA
It was an infamous justification which sparked widespread criticism. "I don't hold a hose, mate." The quip by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the 2019 Black Summer bushfires left an indelible mark on his legacy, as communities on the ground confronted devastation. Six years on, the comment has resurfaced — this time in reference to what has been described as an "underwater bushfire" causing mass destruction along South Australia's coastline. The toxic algal bloom, first detected off the Fleurieu Peninsula, has been ravaging marine life across the state over the past four months, threatening coastal ecosystems and disrupting local tourism, fishing and aquaculture industries. "I urge the Prime Minister and [SA Premier] Peter Malinauskas to not allow this to become their 'We don't hold the hoses, mate' moment, South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said on Friday. Senator Hanson-Young wants Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to declare the algal bloom a "national disaster" — a move supported by the SA government. But what difference could such a declaration make? According to Senator Hanson-Young's office, a "national disaster" declaration is akin to a "national emergency" declaration. Federal laws which passed in 2020 allow the governor-general to declare a national emergency if the prime minister was satisfied an event was "causing harm that is nationally significant in Australia or in an Australian offshore area". The legislation has a broad definition of what constitutes nationally-significant harm, listing "harm to the life or health of animals or plants" and "harm to the environment" among the criteria. State and territory governments can request a national emergency declaration in writing and, if granted, a declaration can last up to three months. University of Adelaide research fellow Dr Phillipa McCormack said the purpose of the legislation was to recognise the Commonwealth's role during emergencies. "State governments can sometimes struggle to respond effectively, quickly enough, and at the scale that's needed to those kinds of extreme events," Dr McCormack said. "This legislation recognises that mismatch between the experience of the event and the resources to deal with it. "But the Act does limit it to those nationally-significant contexts." If an emergency declaration is in force, federal laws can be modified in "specified ways". "Provisions that may be modified include those requiring a person to provide a signature or to report matters to a Commonwealth agency," the Act states. According to the SA government, a "national disaster" declaration can also unlock federal funding through the National Emergency Management Agency's "Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements". These cost-sharing arrangements between the Commonwealth and state governments provide financial assistance to disaster-affected communities. Funding could come in the form of clean-up and recovery grants, personal hardship assistance, community recovery funds, or concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers. Politicians and some coastal community members. At a community meeting at Port Vincent last week, locals called for a disaster declaration, arguing Commonwealth support was needed. On Friday, Senator Hanson-Young said a "COVID-style recovery package" would help affected communities. "Businesses are crippling, communities are hurting, they're alarmed and our environment is under huge attack," Ms Hanson-Young said. The SA government has backed calls for the algal bloom to be declared a "national disaster", with state Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven noting the event had caused "very significant impacts" to the state's fisheries and environment. "We would certainly appreciate the federal government agreeing with what we have been advocating, which is that this is a national disaster," Ms Scriven said on Friday. "We hope that they will come to see it in that light." While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in China last week, his ministers defended the federal government's response to the algal bloom. Federal Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the government recognised the bloom was "very serious for South Australians", adding that he would "certainly consider" any assistance request from the state government. But he also stressed that the bloom was occurring in state, not Commonwealth, waters. "I think the reality is that state governments do have primary responsibility for state matters including in state waters, and federal governments have responsibility for federal matters including things in Commonwealth waters," he told ABC Radio Adelaide on Friday. "I think we do need to be careful to not have a system where Canberra just blunders in and tries to take over the situation that is being managed by the South Australian government."
Arab News
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab News
South Africa declares national disaster as flooding death toll rises to 92
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa was under a declared state of national disaster on Thursday as the death toll from floods caused by severe rains in the Eastern Cape region rose to 92. The Eastern Cape government honored the victims of last week's floods with a provincial Day of Mourning and a memorial service at King Sabatha Dalindyebo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Mthatha, one of the few schools whose infrastructure remained intact. Speaking at the public memorial service, Zolile Williams, a member of the executive council, said the people of the coastal province have not been the same since the disaster hit, and many are now faced with the challenging task of rebuilding. 'Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by unprecedented, catastrophic and unimaginable disasters, where in the whole of the province, about 92 people have perished,' said Williams. 'Since that day, the Eastern Cape has not been the same. It is the first time we have experienced so many dead bodies, some of whom have not yet been found.' An extreme weather front brought heavy rain, strong winds and snow to parts of the province caused flooding in one of South Africa's poorest provinces last week, leaving dozens dead and roads, houses, schools and other infrastructure damaged. At least two school children who were washed away in a bus are among the unverified number of missing persons according to local media reports, while thousands have since been displaced. Authorities have appealed for residents to report missing people so rescuers could better understand how many people they were still looking for. Religious leaders from different Christian religions were among the hundreds of mourners who attended the memorial ceremony, lighting candles as a symbolic expression of remembering the 92 people who died in the floods. In a government notice on Wednesday, Elias Sithole, director of the National Disaster Management Center, said severe weather had caused property damage. and the disruption of vital services in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, and the Free State, which prompted South Africa to declare a national state of disaster. The declaration allows the government to release funding for relief and rehabilitation and will remain in place until it lapses or until the conditions can no longer be categorized as such and is revoked by the head of the center. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited the town of Mthatha, in Eastern Cape province, where the floods hit hardest. Many of the Eastern Cape flood victims lived on floodplains close to rivers. Government officials said poor neighborhoods with informal dwellings were most severely impacted. Authorities have been criticized for the rescue response but also for the state of the infrastructure in the area.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
South Africa declares national disaster as flooding death toll rises to 92
South Africa was under a declared state of national disaster on Thursday as the death toll from floods caused by severe rains in the Eastern Cape region rose to 92. The Eastern Cape government honoured the victims of last week's floods with a provincial Day of Mourning and a memorial service at King Sabatha Dalindyebo Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in Mthatha, one of the few schools whose infrastructure remained intact. Speaking at the public memorial service, Zolile Williams, a member of the executive council, said the people of the coastal province had not been the same since the disaster hit, and many now faced the challenging task of rebuilding. 'Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by unprecedented, catastrophic and unimaginable disasters, where in the whole of the province, about 92 people have perished,' Mr Williams said. 'Since that day, the Eastern Cape has not been the same. It is the first time we have experienced so many dead bodies, some of whom have not yet been found.' An extreme weather front brought heavy rain, strong winds and snow to parts of the province caused flooding in one of South Africa's poorest provinces last week, leaving dozens dead and roads, houses, schools and other infrastructure damaged. At least two schoolchildren who were washed away in a bus are among the unverified number of missing persons according to local media reports, while thousands have since been displaced. Authorities have appealed for residents to report missing people so rescuers could better understand how many people they were still looking for. Religious leaders from different Christian religions were among the hundreds of mourners who attended the memorial ceremony, lighting candles as a symbolic expression of remembering the 92 people who died in the floods. In a government notice on Wednesday, Elias Sithole, director of the National Disaster Management Centre, said severe weather had caused property damage and the disruption of vital services in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, and the Free State, which prompted South Africa to declare a national state of disaster. The declaration allows the government to release funding for relief and rehabilitation and will remain in place until it lapses or until the conditions can no longer be categorised as such and is revoked by the head of the centre. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited the town of Mthatha, in Eastern Cape province, where the floods hit hardest. Many of the Eastern Cape flood victims lived on floodplains close to rivers. Government officials said poor neighbourhoods with informal dwellings were most severely impacted. Authorities have been criticised for the rescue response but also for the state of theinfrastructure in the area.
BreakingNews.ie
19-06-2025
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
South Africa declares national disaster as flooding death toll rises to 92
South Africa was under a declared state of national disaster on Thursday as the death toll from floods caused by severe rains in the Eastern Cape region rose to 92. The Eastern Cape government honoured the victims of last week's floods with a provincial Day of Mourning and a memorial service at King Sabatha Dalindyebo Technical and Vocational Education and Training College in Mthatha, one of the few schools whose infrastructure remained intact. Advertisement Speaking at the public memorial service, Zolile Williams, a member of the executive council, said the people of the coastal province had not been the same since the disaster hit, and many now faced the challenging task of rebuilding. 'Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by unprecedented, catastrophic and unimaginable disasters, where in the whole of the province, about 92 people have perished,' Mr Williams said. 'Since that day, the Eastern Cape has not been the same. It is the first time we have experienced so many dead bodies, some of whom have not yet been found.' An extreme weather front brought heavy rain, strong winds and snow to parts of the province caused flooding in one of South Africa's poorest provinces last week, leaving dozens dead and roads, houses, schools and other infrastructure damaged. Advertisement At least two schoolchildren who were washed away in a bus are among the unverified number of missing persons according to local media reports, while thousands have since been displaced. Authorities have appealed for residents to report missing people so rescuers could better understand how many people they were still looking for. Religious leaders from different Christian religions were among the hundreds of mourners who attended the memorial ceremony, lighting candles as a symbolic expression of remembering the 92 people who died in the floods. In a government notice on Wednesday, Elias Sithole, director of the National Disaster Management Centre, said severe weather had caused property damage and the disruption of vital services in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, and the Free State, which prompted South Africa to declare a national state of disaster. Advertisement The declaration allows the government to release funding for relief and rehabilitation and will remain in place until it lapses or until the conditions can no longer be categorised as such and is revoked by the head of the centre. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited the town of Mthatha, in Eastern Cape province, where the floods hit hardest. Many of the Eastern Cape flood victims lived on floodplains close to rivers. Government officials said poor neighbourhoods with informal dwellings were most severely impacted. Authorities have been criticised for the rescue response but also for the state of the infrastructure in the area.
Al Arabiya
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
South Africa Declares National Disaster as Flooding Death Toll Rises to 92
South Africa was under a declared state of national disaster on Thursday as the death toll from floods caused by severe rains in the Eastern Cape region rose to 92. The Eastern Cape government honored the victims of last week's floods with a provincial Day of Mourning and a memorial service at King Sabatha Dalindyebo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Mthatha – one of the few schools whose infrastructure remained intact. Speaking at the public memorial service, Zolile Williams, a member of the executive council, said the people of the coastal province have not been the same since the disaster hit, and many are now faced with the challenging task of rebuilding. 'Since June 9, this province has been hit hard by unprecedented, catastrophic, and unimaginable disasters where, in the whole of the province, about 92 people have perished,' said Williams. 'Since that day, the Eastern Cape has not been the same. It is the first time we have experienced so many dead bodies, some of whom have not yet been found.' An extreme weather front brought heavy rain, strong winds, and snow to parts of the province, causing flooding in one of South Africa's poorest provinces last week, leaving dozens dead and roads, houses, schools, and other infrastructure damaged. At least two school children who were washed away in a bus are among the unverified number of missing persons, according to local media reports, while thousands have since been displaced. Authorities have appealed for residents to report missing people so rescuers could better understand how many people they were still looking for. Religious leaders from different Christian religions were among the hundreds of mourners who attended the memorial ceremony, lighting candles as a symbolic expression of remembering the 92 people who died in the floods. In a government notice on Wednesday, Elias Sithole, director of the National Disaster Management Centre, said severe weather had caused property damage and the disruption of vital services in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, and the Free State, which prompted South Africa to declare a national state of disaster. The declaration allows the government to release funding for relief and rehabilitation and will remain in place until it lapses or until the conditions can no longer be categorized as such and is revoked by the head of the center. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited the town of Mthatha in Eastern Cape province where the floods hit hardest. Many of the Eastern Cape flood victims lived on floodplains close to rivers. Government officials said poor neighborhoods with informal dwellings were most severely impacted. Authorities have been criticized for the rescue response but also for the state of the infrastructure in the area.
