Funding for such measures should become a part of all development programmes. The mobilisation of state financial resources in a pre-emptive manner allows the state to respond quickly in utilising available and allocated resources to cushion against the impacts of disasters if they occur. For instance, farmers will not receive state assistance if they have failed to take mitigating measures, however severe a drought may be. It is important, however, to note that the state only usually becomes involved in relief when whole communities are afflicted with a disaster. It is also very difficult for the state to give a priority undertaking as to the cover it offers for potential flood damage.
State assistance is determined on the merits of each case.
Insurance cover is another mechanism to protect individuals, companies and the public sector against damage. In general, the state does not provide cover to individuals and private entities - this is largely the role of the private sector. Presently, the private sector does have a range of insurance products mainly against fire, hail, to some extent flood and other forms of disasters that may cause damage to property or the loss of life. There is still a lot of room to find ways of integrating insurance policies in an innovative way as part of an overall disaster management strategy. Top of page 5.2.6.