Cape Town, South Africa has become the 18th city to be awarded "Role Model City" status by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).
A key factor in Cape Town being awarded this status was achieving eight of the Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient as part of the World Disaster Reduction Campaign (2010-2011).
18 October 2011: The city of Cape Town, South Africa, has become the 18th city to be awarded “Role Model City” status by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). Cape Town is the second African city to be awarded this distinction, which recognizes the city’s progress in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and its role in setting forth the UN’s global strategy that encourages local governments to take a more active role in disaster management.
Launching its Disaster Risk Management Centre on 12 October 2011 as part of its observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, the city underscored the improtance of political buy-in. Greg Pillay, Head of the Cape Town Disaster Management Centre, noted that the process took place over several years with the constant engagement of political leaders to obtaining the necessary support and understanding.
A key factor to attain “Role Model City” status, is to demonstrate at least five of the World Disaster Reduction Campaign’s (2010-2011) Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient. Cape Town has attained eight Essentials including: safe schools and health facilities; city-wide disaster risk assessment; risk compliant land-use regulation; strengthened local disaster risk management; protection of ecosystems and natural buffers; establishment of early warning systems; and preparation of new flash floods guidance.
UN/ISDR and its partners formulated the checklist as a starting point for those wanting to join the Campaign. It also expects that commitment to these Essentials will spur both governments and agencies to implement the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. [UN/ISDR Press Release]