Disasters are intensifying across the world

In August twenty twenty-six, catastrophic flooding in Nepal killed at least one thousand four hundred fifty-five people, with thousands still missing.

South Africa has faced major flooding too

More than one hundred people died in the Eastern Cape floods of June twenty twenty-five. Across these disasters, the loss extended to homes, livelihoods, public infrastructure and the security of entire communities.

South Africa has disaster management systems in place

The Disaster Management Act, National Disaster Management Framework, disaster management centres, coordinating forums and municipal plans establish responsibilities for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Legislation recognises community participation and indigenous knowledge.

The real problem is connecting institutions

Information about environmental risks, infrastructure, vulnerable households and community organisations may be held across different institutions.Each fulfils its own responsibilities, while the wider system struggles to connect what is known with what needs to happen.

Resources determine who survives disasters

Families with insurance, savings and transport have more options to protect themselves and recover. For households facing insecure housing, unemployment or limited access to services, a flood can interrupt schooling, healthcare and income for months…

Communities already manage their own safety

Neighbours assist with evacuations, civil society organisations mobilise support, and trusted local figures help people navigate emergencies. These relationships hold knowledge about local conditions, traditional practices and household needs that formal reporting alone cannot capture.

Technology alone will not solve the problem

Artificial intelligence offers opportunities to improve disaster forecasting and analyse complex risk patterns. However, another reporting app adds little if the information it collects cannot be connected to the people, resources and decisions needed on…

“Another reporting app adds little if the information it collects cannot be connected to the people, resources and decisions needed on the ground.”

Communities must shape decisions about their safety

The two thousand twenty-six International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction theme is Resilience Starts at Home. Meaningful collaboration requires space for community knowledge to influence decisions and for institutions to account for what happens afterwards.

“Resilience Starts at Home”

South Africa must test whether its approach works

The question facing South Africa is how much existing capacity remains untapped because institutions and communities cannot consistently draw on one another's knowledge, resources and experience. Every disaster exposes the cost of these missed connections.