Floods and droughts are becoming increasingly more destructive South Africa. But despite the government declaring a national state of disaster in response to severe weather in several provinces earlier this year, questions remain whether the response on the ground has improved.

South Africa is not alone. across Southern AfricaDramatic changes in weather patterns have resulted in hotter temperatures, floods and droughts. across the continent, These changes are disrupting lives, damaging crops and infrastructure, and putting already vulnerable communities under even more stress.

Talked to Health-e News Human Sciences Research Council Chief Research Specialist Dr Wilfred Lunga About who is most at risk, where disaster response is falling short and what needs to change.

What impact have these severe weather events had?

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There are many populations that are particularly vulnerable to these disasters. Women, the elderly and young children are some of the high-risk groups.

We are facing a lot of insect infestations that affect agriculture. Southern Africa is facing many diseases like malaria. South Africa is not heavily affected, but countries such as Mozambique have a serious burden of malaria.

Which areas are most at risk?

Last year, Zimbabwe and Zambia were worst affected by drought. In South Africa the impact was more provincial, affecting the Free State, Limpopo and the Western Cape. In some parts of the Western Cape, the situation reached such an extent that a disaster was declared.

Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa were most affected by the floods in January. Some areas in South Africa are affected almost every year. These are Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

But the flooding we saw in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, in 2025 was unprecedented. This is not an area that commonly experiences floods. If you inquire why Mthatha actually suffered, it is because preparedness issues were neglected. For example, people were allowed to build houses where they should not have been built.

How would you describe the government's response?

There is a regional strategy, where if one country is suffering, they have to help each other in terms of responding, evacuating people and keeping people in safe places. But the strategy is not working very well.

This is because almost all countries do not have evacuation centers where they are required to place people. Or relocating people when there is a severe weather warning.

You see people saying on television, “We are on high alert”.

I've always asked the question, “If you say you're on high alert, what do you mean?”

When a disaster strikes, you'll find that the first responders are the ones who are affected.

South Africa is a leader in the region in terms of preparedness. National Disaster Management Center The website has lots of resources including policies, reports and plans. And each province has a center – it may not be well equipped, but at least there is a center. And in that centre, you find people playing different roles.

But the government was still found weak. They are not devoting enough resources to making people aware or providing relief. For example, in South Africa, we know that KwaZulu-Natal will be affected by floods almost every year; The situation is similar in the nearby areas of Alexandra, Mamelodi and Centurion. But nothing is happening.

What should be done to improve disaster response?

There is a lot we can do. lies the most important Sendai FrameworkTo which all countries are parties. Its purpose is to ensure that people are aware of the risks or dangers in their communities.

Governments must continuously assess risks and vulnerabilities. These should be done in a participatory manner, ensuring that all members of society – whether children, women or the elderly – are an integral part of those assessments.