Integrating parallel structures for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the Southern African Development Community
Abstract
This study addresses disaster risk governance problematics, particularly the ways in which
governments should integrate organisations for disaster risk reduction and climate change
adaptation. The focus is on assisting attempts to overcome problems associated with governing
across departmental or ministry boundaries. The central argument in this study is that effective
and efficient integration will require inter-organisational relations that can overcome structural
impediments of government hierarchy as well as the tradition of inter-jurisdictional duplication.
This is important because most government systems are not designed to address complex and
boundary-crossing problems such as disaster risk that require integrated processes within and
across levels of government. Moreover, governance of disaster risk through disaster risk
reduction and climate change adaptation has until now evolved largely in isolation from each
other – through different conceptual and institutional frameworks, response strategies, and
plans, at both international and national levels. As a result, the majority of disaster risk reduction
and climate change adaptation initiatives at national level continue to function in parallel and in
isolation. There is growing consensus among researchers, scholars and practitioners regarding the
integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. This is so because the
integration of the two fields of practice provides opportunities to strengthen the common
agendas and improve the management of present and future hazards and risks. However, most
of the scholarship that advocates for the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate
change adaptation hardly goes beyond the inter-linkages of the two, thus focusing on
similarities, differences, areas of convergence and the challenges. As such questions about the
modalities of integration as well as the reasons for and the effects of their separation remain
unanswered. Answers to such questions are critical to moving beyond the theoretical
conceptualisation of the inter-linkages to practical integration. It is acknowledged in this study
that no single approach represents a panacea for integrating disaster risk reduction and climate
change adaptation and thus this study aims to contribute to the body of knowledge on the topic
by reviewing the literature and providing a comprehensive picture on the governance of disaster
risk both in general and with specific reference to SADC member states.
Specifically, the main objective of the study is to develop a normative model for integrating
structures for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation within the SADC member
states. To achieve this objective, the study employed both theoretical and empirical dimensions.
Firstly, the study conducted a literature review on the theories and practices of disaster risk
reduction and climate change adaptation and their convergence. The study also conducted a
desktop analysis of the existing structures for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in each of the Southern African Development Community member states. To
address the objective in full, the study undertook empirical research by means of a mixedmethods
research design. This method was chosen because the use of both qualitative and
quantitative approaches are considered to offer in-depth experience of individual perspectives
while allowing generalisation and providing precision.
The empirical study involved, firstly, the collection of data through semi-structured, face-to-face
interviews. Data collected through these methods was analysed using a thematic analysis
approach for qualitative data. The findings in this phase were used to inform the development of
instruments for the second phase of the study, the quantitative research. Secondly, in the
quantitative research, data was collected through an online survey. A total of 35 practitioners in
the fields of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, environmental management and
meteorology from nine SADC member states participated in the study.
Respondents were able to articulate the reasons for and effects of having separate structures
for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Respondents further provided ways in
which the integration of the structures should take place. Subsequently, the thesis proposes a
generic model to assist SADC member states’ practitioners in their efforts to integrate disaster
risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The model is generic in that it can be adapted to
member state’s particularities. Successful implementation of the model hinges on five enablers
including legal and regulatory frameworks, strategies, policies and plans, political interest and
commitment, access to sufficient capacity and resources support by regional and international
organisations. A recommendation of note made by the study is that if circumstances of a particular country do
not allow for the structural adjustment or merging, organisations for disaster risk reduction and
climate change adaptation need to strengthen their cooperative, coordinative and collaborative
relationships. Other recommendation made in the study include the mainstreaming of climate
change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into sectoral policies, improved political will and
commitment, improvement of information awareness and advocacy, building institutional
capacity and joint funding of programmes and projects. As a result of the limitations of the study
and the infinite nature of research on the subject of integrating disaster risk reduction and
climate change adaptation, the study was able to propose further areas of research.