Development Debate and Practice Disaster risk reduction initiatives in South Africa
نویسندگان
چکیده
The field of disaster management in South Africa has developed dramatically over the past seven years. The paradigm shift from civil protection to disaster risk management brought with it the realisation that the nianagemeni of disaster risk is paramount to reducing successfully the vulnerability of these communities mo.st at risk. The resilience and coping mechanisms of communities affected by disasters have demonstrated ihe importance of local and traditional knowledge in the reduction of risk and ihe effects of hazards. Tliis article aims to explore various initiatives for disaster risk reduction in South Africa undertaken hy government departments and non-governmental organisations from 1994 to 2003. ll describes the various methods and systems employed to reduce risk and vulnerability. A ca.se study of the February 2(HX) floods in the Limpopo province of South Africa provides insight into local coping mechani.sms and indigenous methods of risk reduction.
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