Cape Town: The community disaster risk reduction pilot project initiative called “Langa Together” is spearheaded by the NGO, Community Risk Management in collaboration with the Disaster Risk Management Centre of the City of Cape Town. One of the key elements of the project is the training and deployment of 70 Community Risk Management Marshals in six high risk informal settlements in Langa.
Langa was selected as the site for the pilot project due to its fire and flood risk profile. Here, the existing community structures like the Langa Advice Forum, and previous collaborations with the Disaster Risk Management Centre. The training of the Community Risk Management Marshals is central to the project and takes the DRM’s community-based risk assessment interventions a step further.
The marshals are volunteers identified by community leadership and the NGO. The criteria was that they have to reside in Langa, have to be 18 or older and have no criminal record. They will focus on Zone-31, Zone-32, Joe Slovo, Intersite, Siyahlala, Special Quarters and New Look informal settlements.
Their eight-week training programme by the City of Cape Town will conclude on May 25, 2026 and will equip each marshal with critical skills, including: Emergency first aid, Early warning systems, Disaster risk assessment, Fire prevention and Safety and Disaster preparedness.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith stated that they say often, that public safety in general, and disaster risk reduction in particular, is a shared responsibility. And, this community-based initiative embodies that.
It aims not only to strengthen disaster risk reduction capacity in Langa, but to impart critical skills and development to those who are volunteering their time and effort. Who knows what doors these skills and the overall experience can open for them in the future.
Smith added that he applauds everyone who were involved in this pilot project, which will be a valuable tool in determining how they can replicate it in other at-risk communities in the city.
As part of the initiative, DRMC hosted a community awareness and preparedness programme in Langa, on a range of topics, such as:
- Neighbourhood resilience and risk assessment (Risk and Resilience)
- Fire safety and prevention, led by the Fire & Rescue Service
- Flood risk awareness and preparedness (Floodwise)
- Hazard awareness and early warning systems
- Climate change impacts and environmental risks
- Family disaster preparedness and emergency planning
Alderman Smith further stated that the more people know what to do to prepare for, and respond to a disaster, the more resilient a household, but also the broader community. It’s important that families develop an emergency plan for their household, understand how to respond to early warnings and protect their properties. Also how to support other, more vulnerable neighbours and households.