With reference to the severe hail storm in Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal on 9 December 2012, which damaged more than 200 homes and businesses (details furnished), (a) how long is the prescribed period for an area to be declared a disaster area, (b) what are the criteria for declaring an area a disaster area, (c) at what stage, if any, does the Government start monitoring the designation of an area as a disaster area, (d) who is responsible for such monitoring and (e) what is the time frame for translating emergency assistance in the case of a disaster to more substantial assistance aimed at returning such an affected area to its former state?