A model for integrating disaster risk reduction in national multi-sectoral planning in South Africa

PhD (Development and Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2017Disasters due to natural and anthropogenic hazards have continued to claim millions of lives, affect billions of people, and cause trillions in economic losses. These disasters which are exacerbated by climate change are increasing in frequency and intensity and have become one of the major threats to sustainable development. There is convincing evidence that developing countries like those on the African continent are bearing the brunt of the suffering and devastation caused by disasters. There is now international acknowledgement that efforts to reduce disaster risks must be systematically integrated into policies, plans and programmes of various departments and ministries in each country. This integration requires analysis of how potential hazard events could affect the performance of policies, programmes and projects and of the impact of those policies, programmes and projects, in turn, on vulnerability to natural and anthropogenic hazards. This study addresses the integration of disaster risk reduction in the planning processes and initiatives of various departments or ministries. The central argument in this study is that disaster risk reduction is a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral activity which falls under the programmes of diverse institutions hence it must be integrated into planning processes of these organisations for it to be effective and efficient. Within this context, the main objective of this study is to develop a model for integrating disaster risk reduction in national multi-sectoral planning in South Africa. To achieve this objective, the study employed theoretical as well as empirical dimensions. With regard to its theoretical dimension, the study conducted a literature review on the theories of organisation and strategic planning. The regulatory and institutional frameworks supporting disaster risk reduction in South Africa was also discussed. While the study examined the development and evolution of multi-sectoral planning in South Africa, it also provided a comparative analysis of international models for integrating disaster risk reduction in national multi-sectoral planning from Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) with a view to identify good practices and lessons that could be incorporated in the envisaged model for South Africa. To complement the theoretical dimension, the study undertook the empirical research by means of qualitative methods. The empirical research involved, firstly, the collection of data through focus group interview sessions. Secondly, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were also utilised to collect data from identified respondents. Thus, a total of 28 participants from key national departments and agencies including departments such as Health, Transport, National Treasury, Cooperative Governance, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Social Development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, South African Police Services, Rural Development and Land Reform participated in the study. Representatives of the South African Weather Services, National Disaster Management Centre, African Centre for Disaster Studies, Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa, and the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management centre also participated in the study. The findings of the study revealed that integrating disaster risk reduction in national multi-sectoral planning initiatives can contribute significantly in reducing disaster risks in South Africa. Respondents further provided various strategies or mechanisms for integrating disaster risk reduction in national multi-sectoral planning. Consequently, the thesis provides the reader with an outline of a model for integrating disaster risk reduction in national multi-sectoral planning in South Africa. Successful implementation of the model hinges on five enablers including legal and institutional frameworks, establishment of dedicated focal points for disaster risk reduction, strengthening of the National Disaster Management Centre’s capacity, active participation of all key national sector departments and non-state organisations and lastly, the importance of reflecting disaster risk reduction issues in the broader national development planDoctora