Disaster Risk Management Challenges Towards Integrated Disaster Risk Management at the South African Municipalities

Abstract

Although there has been significant global recognition of the South African disaster management legislation and the policy framework, its implementation approaches are flawed across spheres of government, with municipalities being the worst. Municipalities face various obstacles to effectively integrating disaster risk management into their development planning, leaving marginalized populations such as undocumented immigrants vulnerable during disasters. This study examines the challenges faced by municipalities in integrating disaster risk management into their development planning. A qualitative case-study approach following desktop research was used in this study. The secondary data was collected from peer-reviewed articles and government documents such as the city of eThekwini integrated development plan 2023-2024 to 2027-2028 and the disaster management sector plan. Using two case studies, notable challenges were revealed, such as financial and capacity constraints (technical and non-technical), incomplete or not approved plans inertia, public awareness deficits, absence of a disaster management advisory forum, communication breakdowns, and the often-overlooked impacts of sand mining and undocumented immigration on disaster resilience. The study recommends joint strategic interventions to strengthen disaster risk management capabilities and create a more resilient social fabric, prioritizing marginalized populations. This study further highlights the urgency of a paradigm shift in disaster risk management that transcends conventional silos and reactive but embraces joint planning and community-centered approaches to disaster risk reduction. By championing inclusive approaches that prioritize these marginalized populations' unique needs and challenges, municipalities can promote greater resilience and equity in an increasingly uncertain future characterized by escalating climate risks and socio-economic inequalities.