Climate Disaster Risk Reduction in Rural Southern Africa

Climate change poses a significant challenge globally, with rural communities in Southern Africa experiencing severe impacts. These communities are highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, yet research focused on them is limited. This chapter examines climate disaster risk reduction (DRR) mechanisms in selected rural communities in Southern Africa, identifying best practices and gaps. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered empirical evidence through content analysis, surveys and interviews with DRR stakeholders and residents in Port Saint Johns and Mkhondo in South Africa and Chimanimani and Tsholotsho in Zimbabwe. The findings reveal that rural Southern Africa faces various climate-related hazards, including floods, storms, droughts and heatwaves, which have damaged livelihood assets. While formal institutions lead DRR initiatives, traditional and local leadership is often overlooked despite their significant influence. DRR policies theoretically place communities at the centre of the process, devolving responsibilities to the lowest community level. However, funding primarily comes from central governments and donor agencies. Understanding DRR mechanisms can significantly reduce disaster losses, speed recovery and build adaptive capacity, contributing to poverty mitigation and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Africa Agenda 2063.