By Neptal Khoza, Head of Market Development at Santam
In an era where the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, the need for concerted efforts to address climate-related risks has never been more pressing. As key player in the insurance industry, Santam has taken up this challenge with determination and vision through our Partnership for Risk and Resilience (P4RR) programme. Collaborating with local municipalities and organisations, we are spearheading an initiative that holds the potential to transform the resilience of South African communities in the face of climate-related adversities.
The inception of the P4RR programme resonated profoundly with the call by the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2012 for businesses to collaborate with local governments to enhance service delivery capabilities. This call dovetailed seamlessly with Santam’s overarching mission of narrowing the Risk Protection Gap in the markets it serves. At its core, the P4RR programme embodies the principles of collaborative risk management and the provision of holistic, dependable risk solutions.
Since its launch, the P4RR programme has already extended its reach to an impressive 82 municipalities, effectively touching the lives of over 12.5 million individuals. The driving force behind this initiative is the active mitigation of risks and the enhancement of municipal and community capacities. This is no mere gesture; rather, the P4RR programme is centered around the aim of bolstering our society’s resilience to disasters through the strengthening of disaster management and firefighting capabilities in select municipalities and major cities nationwide.
Addressing Drought in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
A pertinent example of the programme’s impact is seen in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the Eastern Cape. In a region grappling with the profound challenges posed by drought, Santam’s P4RR programme stepped in, partnering with Emthunzini Community Trust, Gift of the Givers, and local authorities to provide much-needed support. Our intervention included the provision of water tanks, donation of firefighting foam tanks to optimise water usage in firefighting, and the revitalisation of boreholes to ensure schools and hospitals have a reliable water supply during times of scarcity and emergencies.
Our Partnership with eThekwini Municipality
Another noteworthy partnership forged by Santam is with the eThekwini Municipality. This strategic alliance, underpinned by a three-year Memorandum of Understanding, is dedicated to developing climate change adaptation plans and implementing interventions to mitigate risks. By working closely with the eThekwini Municipality, Santam is actively contributing to the enhancement of the community’s resilience against the challenges posed by climate change.
Introducing the Greenbook
In a proactive move to address climate risks, Santam joined hands with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to launch the Greenbook initiative. This comprehensive guide equips local authorities with the necessary information and tools for conducting climate risk assessments and devising effective adaptation strategies. The P4RR programme has successfully introduced the Greenbook to ten district municipalities, thus empowering local authorities to proactively tackle climate change challenges.
The impact of our P4RR programme extends beyond immediate interventions; it embodies a sustainable and meaningful endeavour to minimise climate-related risks in vulnerable communities. Collaborations with partners such as the eThekwini Municipality and initiatives like the Greenbook exemplify Santam’s unwavering commitment to climate change adaptation and resilience-building within South African communities. As the P4RR programme continues to expand its reach, our goal is to leave a positive mark on communities across our nation.
To download your copy of the 2023 Sanlam Transformation Gauge, click here https://sanlamtransformationgauge.co.za/report-2023/
Image source: supplied