DEPUTY Prime Minister (DPM) Thuli Dladla has urged those capable of assisting vulnerable communities to continue helping amid worsening El Niño effects, stressing that no one should die from drought while others can provide aid.
Dladla said the country spent considerable time warning the public about El Niño, adding that the reality of the phenomenon is now visible across communities.
She noted that while some people heeded the warnings and prepared, others did not take the forecasts seriously.
“We have been talking and reporting about El Niño and now it is here. We can see it,” Dladla said.
The DPM explained that some people responded to the warnings by putting aside resources and making preparations to cushion themselves against the effects of the drought.
However, she said government could not blame those who failed to act on the warnings, noting that people respond differently to information and warnings.
She said some people believed the warnings and prepared themselves, while others preferred to wait until they experienced the situation themselves.
Dladla said government would, however, continue assisting people who were struggling as a result of the difficult conditions, assuring vulnerable communities that they would not be abandoned.
The DPM also raised concern over the limited rainfall received in recent weeks, saying the country could hardly describe the brief showers as meaningful rains.
According to Dladla, the rainfall lasted only a few minutes, while in some instances the country experienced hail instead of sustained rainfall.
She said such conditions offered little relief to communities already battling the effects of prolonged dry conditions.
Dladla said the short periods of rain had often been followed by extended periods of extreme heat, further worsening the situation for communities, farmers and vulnerable households.
“The rains received have barely been enough. Sometimes it rains only for a few minutes and at most, we get hail, which does not help us in anyway and then we experience heatwaves for so many weeks,” she said.
She emphasised that the effects of El Niño should not become an excuse for society to overlook people in need.
Dladla called on individuals, businesses, organisations and other stakeholders who were in a position to help to continue supporting affected families.
She said government alone could not meet every need created by the drought and that collective action remained important in protecting vulnerable communities.
The DPM stressed that the country had a responsibility to ensure that people who were struggling had access to assistance, particularly as the effects of the dry conditions continued to intensify.
“No one should die because of the effects of El Niño while we still have able people,” Dladla said.
She maintained that although some households had prepared after receiving early warnings, those who had been unable to prepare should not be left to face the consequences alone.
Dladla said government would continue monitoring the situation and assisting communities where possible, while appealing to those with the means to contribute to the national response.
