Cape town: Western Cape Finance MEC Deidr© Baartman says the provincial government will work closely with municipalities and national government to mobilise funding for the massive recovery and rebuilding effort following severe weather that devastated parts of the province earlier this month. Baartman was speaking after the conclusion of a four-day assessment of some of the Western Cape's hardest-hit areas, where provincial MECs joined Premier Alan Winde to inspect damage to infrastructure and communities.

According to South African Government News Agency, the extent of the damage to infrastructure and communities is significant, and the recovery process will require a coordinated response across all spheres of government. Baartman emphasised the necessity of every stakeholder's involvement in the recovery efforts. "It will require every stakeholder to come to the table," she stated. The assessment visits were part of the provincial government's ongoing response to widespread flooding, storm damage, and infrastructure disruption impacting several districts across the province.

Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC, Anton Bredell, highlighted the heightened impact of climate change, emphasising the need for more resilient infrastructure planning. He noted that while severe winter weather is characteristic of the region, the increasing intensity and frequency of these events align with global climate change consensus. "Witnessing the destruction across our province from these last storm events, the need for climate resilient planning and construction was made very clear," Bredell remarked. He also stressed the importance of well-capacitated municipalities to effectively address climate-related disasters.

Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger praised healthcare workers, NGOs, and local communities for ensuring critical services continued amidst the severe weather conditions. Wenger noted the collective effort demonstrated by the communities, stating, "In times of crisis, the humanity of our communities shines through and puts on display the very best of the Western Cape."

Furthermore, Education MEC David Maynier acknowledged the excellent response of school principals, teachers, staff, and parents in the face of the severe storms, underscoring their dedication and resilience during the challenging period.