The Western Cape is asking the national government to help it manage a water disaster in the province. Financial aid for farmers battling drought and assistance for water-stressed municipalities is required.

Anton Bredell‚ the provincial minister of Local Government‚ Environmental Affairs and Development Planning‚ said in a statement the region’s cabinet this week approved a request to national government to make a provincial disaster classification for the Western Cape.

This includes a request for funding to be made available for disaster relief in the province.

Should national government approve the province’s request‚ farmers would be asked to lodge applications for assistance.

“Any assistance provided will be based on strict criteria‚” said Alan Winde‚ the provincial minister of Economic Opportunities.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is in the process of rolling out a R114 million drought lifeline for farmers.

And earlier this month‚ the Department of Agriculture said its provincial departments had provided R14.7 million in drought relief assistance to small-scale and subsistence farmers. It said the funds were being used to cater for emergency needs such as providing animal feed and water sources and for intensifying awareness campaigns.

The five worst affected provinces‚ according to the department‚ are the Free State‚ Limpopo‚ Mpumalanga‚ North West and KwaZulu-Natal.