How can ISO Standards Support the People of Khayelitsha?
World Wide Industrial and Systems Engineers (WWISE)
Floods in the informal settlement of Khayelitsha in Cape Town have been an annual problem that the residents have faced during the rainy winter season. As the years have gone by, we have missed an opportunity to put systems in place to not only mitigate floods but also ensure emergency response is available and on stand-by.
Disaster Response and Reliability of Municipalities
Although municipalities have put disaster response processes in place, every year these floods disrupts thousands of lives. We have come to a point where we have to ask what else can be done to support vulnerable people?
How International Standards Support Communities
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide collaboration between 160 countries, with one standards body representing each member country. ISO collaborates to create and publish international standards that ensure all member countries provide goods and services that are on the same level.
The ISO 22328-1:2020 standard provides guidelines for the implementation of a community-based disaster early warning system focused on communities vulnerable to disasters such as the Township Khayelitsha.
How ISO 22328-1:2020 EWS Makes a Difference
Although there is not much that can be done to fully mitigate floods in the area there are various processes that can be put into place to provide warnings to residents and have essential services ready to support the community on short notice.
Early Warning Systems (EWS) based on the ISO 22328-1:2022 standard ensures processes are in place for health organisations to be prepared for and able to respond to emergencies quickly, ensuring the continuity of critical health services.
WWISE Hands Supporting the People of Khayelitsha
On the 8th of July 2024 WWISE, together with other sponsors and the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Tandi Mahambehlala, donated over 250 blankets to the people of Khayelitsha who faced devastation this winter as over 15 000 people had been displaced and over 5 000 homes had been destroyed in the 2024 flood in Cape Town alone.
If you know of any foundation or NPO that needs support, reach out to our WWISE Hands today on [email protected] or give us a call on 012 644 0142.