South Africa has witnessed an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events in recent years, exacerbated by the cyclical meteorological phenomenon El Niño.

The country plans to launch a climate change response fund during the current fiscal year ending on March 31, 2025. Announcement was made Monday by Environment Minister Dion George.

Initially proposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February, this fund aims to mobilize both government and private sectors to finance the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure and provide assistance to communities affected by these events.

Minister George explained this fund will be crucial in financing climate change adaptation and addressing losses and damages.

South Africa has faced several extreme weather events in recent years, including deadly floods in the port city of Durban in 2022 and prolonged droughts that led to water restrictions in major cities in 2019.