Jamba-Journal of Disaster Risk Studies最新文献

Temporal trend analysis of the Google-search volumes and terms related to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in South Africa was performed using a computer plugin between January 2004 and June 2022. This study was conducted as WASH has played an important role in the containment of the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and it is also one of the most effective and easiest-to-deploy tools in decreasing risk from infectious diseases. For the WASH-related terms, the monthly search volumes ranged from the minimum average of 480 for pit latrines to the maximum of 30236 for diarrhea or diarrhoea for the studied period. The Spearman correlation coefficients ranged from -0.29462 to 0.96647, with the p-values ranging from 0.00001 to 0.28789. On a yearly basis, there was a direct correlation between the WASH-related search volumes extracted and the access of the South African population to basic water and sanitation. There was an inverse relationship between the WASH-related search volumes extracted on an annual basis and the death rates from diarrhoeal diseases among children under 5 years of age in South Africa between 2004 and 2020. Results of the current study indicate that a Google-derived search volume can be useful in the assessment of the public's interest in WASH-related topics in South Africa.

Contribution: Therefore, the study findings could be used to optimise the design and targeting of public awareness campaigns on WASH during the coronavirus pandemic or similar infectious disease burdens and related disaster risks.

Legislation provides a framework for effective and coordinated disaster preparedness and response. This article evaluates the strengths and shortcomings of South Africa's disaster risk management (DRM) legislation in guiding the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its promulgation in 2002, South Africa's DRM legislation has been hailed as one of the most progressive legislations globally. However, the severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, commonly known as the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed inadequacies in most existing DRM legislation worldwide, including in South Africa. This led to an inadequate response to the pandemic. A content-based literature review was conducted. Forty-nine peer-reviewed articles, reports, op-eds and newspaper articles were included in the review. The review highlighted significant inadequacies of South African DRM legislation, including the placement of the National Disaster Management Centre and the establishment of new structures for COVID-19 response. Based on the findings of this study, disaster managers, as the primary implementers of the disaster management legislation, must motivate the constant review of the disaster management legislation as a way of mitigating social, economic, political and environmental impacts of disasters, which emanate from the inadequacies existing in the disaster legislation.

Contribution: The study's findings contribute to the effective management of the disaster management fraternity by suggesting amendment of the legislation based on the experience during the pandemic. The recommendations made to disaster managers will assist with responding appropriately to future pandemics and other disasters.

Floods are one of the persistent major risk drivers impacting the Cuvelai-Etosha basin of northern Namibia. Locally known as Efundja, this disruptive event negatively impacts particularly the rural population, who have limited resources to combat its effects. Being mostly subsistence farmers in isolated communities, the floods wreak havoc with their homesteads, harvests, animals, and general way of life by cutting them off from their fields, neighbours, and essential services for prolonged periods. This study investigates the impacts and coping mechanisms of rural communities regularly affected by Efundja. Data was collected from four groups of respondents through interviews and focus groups. These were heads of households in the affected rural communities, the community leaders, local councillors and national government officials involved in disaster mitigation. This ensured a comprehensive picture of the impacts.

Contribution: Despite the presence of a national disaster risk management strategy, the national disaster response mechanism rather reactively responds to the hazard as opposed to being proactive. Results indicates that the strategy is not fully implemented and the parts that are implemented functions as a top-down approach. Respondents reported a wide range of impacts and a general inability to effectively cope with Efundja, coupled with an absence of their voices in deliberations about risk reduction matters. Additions to the current disaster risk management strategy is proposed and several recommendations derived from the research results concludes the article. Should these recommendations be implemented into the Namibian disaster risk management strategy, Efundja as risk driver will also become an agent of change.

Effective legislative framework is the cornerstone of managing hazards and disasters because they have become policy problems of global and local concern. This research study aims at understanding the implementation, strengths and gaps of policies related to Eco-DRR in SADC member states. In particular, attempts to critically analyse the making of DRM policies, as well as the variables underpinning these policies, given the high level of disaster losses. A literature survey was conducted to contextualise and conceptualise statutory and policy-based Eco-DRR. Academic literature on Eco-DRR and related policies, journal articles and related policies, official documents in SADC states including policies, acts, legislations, strategies, frameworks and plans were consulted. The analysis revealed that the Eco-DRR approaches have not yet been mainstreamed as part of standards of DRM in most of SADC member states, opting largely on ad hoc practice. Short-term plans and/or strategies don't help to articulate funding and programme priorities. In addition, irregular updating of policies in some member states and a lack of following up mechanisms were noted.

Contribution: To change this reality, it is necessary to include Eco-DRR in strategies and/or plans and to standardise ecosystem-based measures for reducing disaster risks. Additionally, there is an urgent need for empowerment of the existing institutions and creation of networks that are driven by SADC institutions. Overall, it is evident that there is a regional interest and demand to apply and standardise ecosystem-based approaches and natural or green infrastructure solutions toward Eco-DRR.

South Africa and Botswana are middle-income countries in the southern part of the African continent. They are also the two of the most developed countries in the region, where socio-economic situation is better than in many other parts of the African continent. The progression of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in these two countries can be seen as the setting stage for the disaster risk management understanding in the African region in the 21st century. This is done in this article for disaster risk management and waterborne diseases or water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions in Botswana and South Africa. The authors used an open-source on the mortality in children under 5 to develop a proxy indicator for disaster risk from WASH. This dependent variable is correlated with the access to improved water and sanitation sources or facilities, and the expected lifespan at birth of the South African population. The latter indicators are used as independent variables in correlations, and they are seen as expressions of vulnerability determinants in the WASH context in South Africa and Botswana. Results indicate that the strongest prevention of the death rates from the WASH-related diseases comes from the overall status of the healthcare system in Botswana and South Africa. Socio-economic parameter played limited to no role in the determination of the diarrhoeal disease disaster risk in both the studied countries.

Contribution: Access to improved drinking water sources and improved sanitation facilities played a partial role as a controlling factor in determining the WASH-related death rates. The overall functioning of the healthcare system is the most dominant factor in the disaster risk from WASH in South Africa and Botswana.

A large number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries operate in informal settlements. Most of these settlements exist in hazardous environment despite being affected by floods. This research discusses the scarcity of knowledge on the resilience of businesses operating in Kigogo flood-prone informal settlements in Dar es Salaam. It especially focusses on MSMEs. Although recovery of MSMEs has been intensively studied worldwide, in Tanzania it is downgraded. This article is set to bridge this glaring gap focusing on MSMEs recovery after floods. The research methodology employed quantitative research design by completing questionnaires through interviews. A total of 202 owners of MSMEs were interviewed. While content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, the research further employed a logistic unit model to analyse factors explaining recovery of MSMEs after floods. The study revealed a statistically significant association between the recovery of MSMEs and suitable plans for safeguarding business, personal savings, profit (saving from business) and government support. Other factors include family and friend's support, business continuity training, longevity in business operation, pre-disaster mitigation measures, critical destruction to business facilities, and running several businesses. Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis of the business environment where MSMEs operate revealed a number of issues that inform policymakers, urban planners and environmentalists on what can be done to enhance recovery and hence promote sustainable development.

Contribution: The study adds to the body of knowledge by drawing attention to factors that predict disaster recovery of MSMEs operating in flood-prone informal settlements.

There is an increased frequency of floods in different parts of the world due to Climate Change and many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa face WASH challenges which have worsened during flood and drought incidences. Tsholotsho District has been experiencing an increased frequency of floods over the years and WASH situation has continuously deteriorated. To build the resilience of communities, there are so many programmes that have been introduced toaddress WASH challenges. The paper aimed at assessing the various determinants influencing the adoption of WASH programmes in flood prone Tsholotsho District. A quantitative approach was used to collect data from Household heads in wards 5, 6, 7, and 8 using Questionnaires. A total of 218 Questionnaires were administered in all four wards. A Probit regression analysis and Zero-inflated ordered logit regression analysis were then done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study revealed that the coefficient of access to treated water, gender, source of water, level of education, and marital status is positive and statistically significant with the adoption of WASH programmes by the household head in the study area. These factors were also revealed to influence the level of adoption of WASH programmes.

Contribution: There is a positive and significant relationship between access to safe water, source of water, level of education, gender, age and marital status and WASH programmes. Therefore, there is a need to consider the determinants of the adoption of WASH programmes to effectively build the resilience of communities.

The study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal impact of ISTIFAR programme (Islamic-Based Training for Family Resilience) to the family state of coping, resilience and disaster preparedness on longitudinal observation. A quasi-experimental design was employed with pre- and post-test intervention group only. The sample size was 63 families that survived the earthquake, which sampled using purposive sampling. The sampling criteria were disaster survivor, head of household, Muslim and mentally healthy. The variable was pre- and post-observation of coping, family resilience and disaster preparedness, with confounding factor of stress. The interview performed by structured questionnaire. The data analysed with Mann-Whitney U test and ordinal regression (α < 0.05). The result was a statistical difference between the observation of 6 months prior and follow-up but a slight decline in all variables mean. In detail, coping (p = 0.000), family resilience (p = 0.000) and the disaster preparedness (p = 0.023). There was no statistical correlation between the coping, family resilience and the disaster preparedness towards pandemic stress (p = 0.747). Islamic-Based Training for Family Resilience positively impact coping, resilience and disaster preparedness, albeit slight declines over 6 months, but no evident correlation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic stress.

Contribution: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the effectiveness of authentic disaster preparedness facilitated through ISTIFAR among vulnerable families. It suggests that enhancing resilience, particularly concerning disaster preparedness and, notably, amids the COVID-19 pandemic, can be achieved through authentic local methodologies. The grounded approach proves beneficial, indicating that interventions within communities should not be universally applicable but tailored to leverage local community wisdom.

Previous pandemics, recent outbreaks, and imminent public health events are a clarion call for functional public health surveillance systems that timeously detect public health events, guide interventions, and inform public health policy. We reviewed the Eastern Cape Provincial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance approach to determine best practices and opportunities to strengthen public health surveillance. We conducted a document review of COVID-19 surveillance reports, tools and guidelines prepared between March 2020 and November 2021. Iterative content and thematic analysis were applied to identify strengths and shortcomings of provincial COVID-19 surveillance. Strengths and shortcomings of the provincial COVID-19 surveillance process, and human, technical, and technological resources for surveillance were described. The existence of local surveillance networks, local availability of national-level surveillance guidelines, the ability to describe and track COVID-19 epidemiology, and provincial access to a national, web-based centralised COVID-19 surveillance data system were strengths identified. Shortcomings included poor data quality, data disharmony between sub-national reporting levels, under-resourced surveillance capacity at district level, and suboptimal use of the routine surveillance system for COVID-19 surveillance. The review determined the need for a web-based, integrated surveillance system that was agile in meeting evolving surveillance needs and accessible at all health reporting levels for response and decision-making.

Contribution: The review identified opportunities to advance the existing routine public health surveillance system and improve public health surveillance and response. This qualitative review articulates local knowledge that should be translated into strategies and actions to bolster public health preparedness.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems around the world took a lot of pressure, and the resilience of these systems has been addressed in thedisaster management and COVID-19 literature. However, little focus has been given to the resilience of hospitals in general. Therefore, the study assessed one hospital in the Free State province of South Africa as a preliminary study for a project that will look at all hospitals in the Free State province. The study assessed the following: (1) the preparedness and actionable strategies that were implemented across the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) the resilience plans of the hospitals and also determined (3) the resilience of the hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospital. Using the R statistical program and modelling, I found that the study hospital was not prepared holistically for the COVID-19 pandemic. The five generalised linear mixed models and the general linear models applied did not show significant differences for the most important variables used to measure resilience. The models showed the hospital to be less resilient to pandemics. Several vulnerabilities were recorded across the hospital.

Contribution: This study's findings suggest that the studied hospital is not resilient to pandemics and will be able to make recommendations to relevant government departments to work together to strengthen the resilience of the country's healthcare system once the project is completed.