- 11 Hoffman Street
Potchefstroom
South Africa - 0027182991634
Community-based disaster risk assessment yields the best results and most trustworthy primary data in understanding the disaster risk that communities face. Yet, most of the disaster risk assessments undertaken within South Africa exhibit... more
Community-based disaster risk assessment yields the best results and most trustworthy primary data in understanding the disaster risk that communities face. Yet, most of the disaster risk assessments undertaken within South Africa exhibit very little evidence of community-based and participatory approaches. Participatory research techniques and capacity development interventions were used in a community-based disaster risk assessment project covering 22 communities in the North-West Province of South Africa. This article describes the methodology developed, as well as the resulting findings of one of these at-risk communities. The robust research approach proved to be reliable, valid, and trustworthy—and, at the same time, ensured direct community participation. A number of participatory research techniques such as transect walks, community workshops, and participatory GIS were employed. The research found that the knowledge in local communities is extremely reliable in the developm...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This report is a synthesised analysis of Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) for the RELIEF kit project. This project looks at how Eco-DRR is incorporated into the various biodiversity... more
This report is a synthesised analysis of Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) for the RELIEF kit project. This project looks at how Eco-DRR is incorporated into the various biodiversity conservation efforts either directly or indirectly. It seeks to outline the economic case for Eco-DRR and the development of underlying policy and legislation. Eco-DRR is defined as the sustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems to reduce disaster risk, with the aim to achieve sustainable and resilient development (Estrella & Saalismaa, 2013). “Sustainable ecosystem management for disaster risk reduction is based on equitable stakeholder involvement in land management decisions, land-use-trade-offs and long-term goal setting” (Sudmeier-Rieux et al., 2013). From this, it would seem self-evident that maintaining healthy ecosystems is one of the best ways of reducing and mitigating the impact of disasters related to natural hazards such as droughts, floods, extreme climatic events, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Considerable evidence demonstrates that this is the case. However, incorporating this principle into policy, legislation and planning has proven more difficult, possibly due to the need for different sectors to integrate across sectorial or disciplinary boundaries. Achieving Eco-DRR is dependent on a high degree of cross-sectorial cooperation. This is an aspiration that is simple to state in the abstract but difficult to achieve in the institutional milieu of state bureaucracies and other operational regimes. This synthesis report addresses some of the current theoretical thought that examines the nexus of both DRR and ecosystem management with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation. The report explores the risk profile of Eastern and Southern Africa, demonstrating through case study analysis how Eco-DRR is evolving in many regional approaches and programmes. The case study examples may not necessarily come from traditional ecosystem approaches or traditional DRR approaches but ultimately embody the critical components of both. Nine countries were examined for this report, namely: Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The report further analyses the development of policy frameworks at international, regional and local levels. From this, it is clear to see the significant acceptance of the role that biodiversity and ecosystems play in disaster risk reduction. However, Eco-DRR is seldom incorporated into cross-sectorial policies and programmes, resulting in a failure so far to incorporate Eco-DRR into mainstream development initiatives and funding streams. Part of the problem in making the case for Eco-DRR is an aspect of economics where much of the value is tied to offset costs that are extremely difficult to quantify. Key messages in this report are: • The disaster risk profile in ESA is a combination of natural and anthropogenic hazards. • Current trends indicate that disasters in ESA are likely to increase in both number and impact. • Failure to address biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation will increase impact and reduce the overall resilience of socio-ecological systems. • Eco-DRR is often being applied in ESA without being specifically identified as such. • The application of Eco-DRR needs to occur at different scales simultaneously. • Eco-DRR requires a multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary approach. • Community-based DRR approaches work and are cost effective. • Suitable and effective policies need to be developed at global, regional and national levels. • International funding support for Eco-DRR will be required in ESA.
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Environmental change holds many social risks, exposing vulnerable communities and influencing community resilience. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) both address social risks and impacts following... more
ABSTRACT Environmental change holds many social risks, exposing vulnerable communities and influencing community resilience. Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) both address social risks and impacts following from social changes induced by developments and disasters, aiming to ensure increased and sustainable community resilience. Although similar in purpose, SIA and DRA are rarely intentionally integrated, and while published research is sparse, it does suggest that their integration is an emerging trend. Therefore, as a step to investigate integration, and acknowledging the importance of theoretical underpinnings, this paper investigates the integration of SIA and DRA for increased community resilience. The investigation reveals three distinct areas of potential integration i.e. focus (people centred for sustainable development), approach (pro-active, multi-stakeholder and transdisciplinary), and regulation (mandated under legislative requirements). These findings suggest that both SIA and DRA can benefit significantly from integration, and thereby contribute to increased resilience and improving the social well-being for communities at risk.
Research Interests:
measures taken by local municipalities to plan for climate change. Two areas were selected for their dissimilar climatic challenges: the //Khara Hais Municipality, a semi-desert area in the Northern Cape Province plagued by droughts and... more
measures taken by local municipalities to plan for climate change. Two areas were selected for their dissimilar climatic challenges: the //Khara Hais Municipality, a semi-desert area in the Northern Cape Province plagued by droughts and severe weather events, and the George Municipality, an area in the Western Cape Province plagued by droughts, the rising sea level and flash floods were selected for their dissimilar climatic challenges. It was found that 2 despite South African laws and regulations requiring local government to take action to reduce the risk for disasters, planning for climate change mostly remains sophisticated rhetoric in the two municipalities. This lack of urgency can be ascribed to other more pressing developmental priorities in local municipalities. It would, however, be short-sighted of municipalities not to plan for climate change as major setbacks in hard-won economic and social development follow a disaster.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The constraints that have been experienced in recent years with the Delmas water supply have largely been as a result of it being situated in a dolomite area, the environmental reality which, from a human and economic standpoint, seems to... more
The constraints that have been experienced in recent years with the Delmas water supply have largely been as a result of it being situated in a dolomite area, the environmental reality which, from a human and economic standpoint, seems to be a definite drawback. Previous reports on diarrhoea outbreaks in the Delmas area (1993, 2005 and 2007) have consistently noted a groundwater contamination of the A well field's groundwater abstraction boreholes. While water contamination certainly had a role to play in the diarrhoea outbreaks, there were other contributing environmental factors. Amongst these were the physical environment has been severely polluted and significant interventions in environmental elements, such as local surface water streams, that were recorded during the research process. The nature and extent of water (raw, potable and waste) management in and by the Delmas Local Municipality will be the focus of this article, and certain significant geohydrological issues to...
Research Interests:
Integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) is widely recognized as a solution for reducing the risk and impacts of disasters. However, successful integration seems elusive, and the two goals continue... more
Integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) is widely recognized as a solution for reducing the risk and impacts of disasters. However, successful integration seems elusive, and the two goals continue to function in isolation and in parallel. This article provides empirical insights into the perceived effects of separating government institutions for DRR and CCA within the Southern African Development Community member states. A mixed method research design was applied to the study. A total of 40 respondents from Botswana, Eswatini (until April 2018 Swaziland), Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe participated in face-to-face interviews or an online survey. Five major effects of separating the organizations for DRR and CCA that impede efforts to reduce disaster risk coherently were identified: duplication of services, polarization of interventions, incoherent policies, competition for the same resources, and te...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
PurposeThe way that disasters are managed, or indeed mis-managed, is often represented diagrammatically as a “disaster cycle”. The cyclical aspects of the disaster (risk) management concept, comprised of numerous operational phases, have,... more
PurposeThe way that disasters are managed, or indeed mis-managed, is often represented diagrammatically as a “disaster cycle”. The cyclical aspects of the disaster (risk) management concept, comprised of numerous operational phases, have, in recent years, been criticised for conceptualising and representing disasters in an overly simplistic way that typically starts with a disaster “event” – and subsequently leads onto yet another disaster. Such cyclical thinking has been proven to not be very useful for the complexities associated with understanding disasters and their risks. This paper aims to present an alternative conceptualisation of the Disaster Risk Management phases, in a way that can better factor in the underlying root causes that create differential levels of vulnerability.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper developed, through a review of the literature and discussions between the authors, as a counterpoint to the pervasive “disaster cycle”.FindingsThe “...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Since the dawn of the renaissance scientific inquiry has been guided by a mechanistic view of the world. Accordingly, the understanding of scientific theories, natural environments and human interactions under this paradigm has always... more
Since the dawn of the renaissance scientific inquiry has been guided by a mechanistic view of the world. Accordingly, the understanding of scientific theories, natural environments and human interactions under this paradigm has always aimed to simplify complex ideas as a means to facilitate greater understanding and innovation. Although this paradigm has undoubtedly served humanity well, there is an increasing realisation that a mechanistic view of the world does not provide a complete understanding of phenomena that are subject to dynamic change. This is especially true of human-environmental systems such as disaster resilience that are constantly altered through their mutual interaction between humans and their specific disaster risk contexts. This chapter argues that in spite of this reality, the mechanistic paradigm, and the linear reasoning associated with it, still dominates the theories and policies aimed at understanding and building disaster resilience and reducing disaster risks. It is argued that the presence of this type of reasoning places a lesser importance on understanding contextually specific variables and their effect on resilience profiles as well as the dynamic interaction that subsume disaster resilience. This often leads to very shallow and oversimplified understandings of disaster resilience.
Research Interests:
Abstract The South African marine environment is constantly exposed to considerable levels of pressure. These pressures undermine the near pristine marine biodiversity and the citizens' right to a clean environment. This paper... more
Abstract The South African marine environment is constantly exposed to considerable levels of pressure. These pressures undermine the near pristine marine biodiversity and the citizens' right to a clean environment. This paper critically analyses international conventions and South African legislative frameworks for addressing marine oil spills. To achieve this purpose, content analysis of international conventions and South African policy and legislative documents relating to marine oil spills was conducted. In this regard, three international conventions, two marine civil liability laws in South Africa, seven environmental and conservation management laws for marine pollution in South Africa, and two disaster risk management policy and legislative frameworks were analysed. The findings of this paper demonstrate that South African marine pollution management is on a reasonable development path. However, invariably, challenges in terms of enforcement capacity, complicated and ineffective provisions continue. This study thus calls for an institutional and legislative reform that will embrace integrated management strategies, clearer provisions of legal powers, and strict enforcement of existing laws.
Research Interests:
Five years after almost all African states signed the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR), disasters still have a significant impact on the populations of Africa, their livelihoods, and the infrastructure on... more
Five years after almost all African states signed the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR), disasters still have a significant impact on the populations of Africa, their livelihoods, and the infrastructure on which they depend. In contrast with the period of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015, African countries not only adopted the SFDRR but also internalized the various priorities by developing an additional five targets applicable to the continent. This article takes a look at the progress made in Africa against the SFDRR and its seven targets thus far. To determine the progress, a mixed methods research approach was followed. The research found that African states are making progress, but decisive action is needed to reach the 2030 targets of the SFDRR. Much better data and information management are needed, and the limitations towards reaching the SFDRR targets must translate into community-based actions geared towards resilience building.
Research Interests: Business and Livelihood
This article aims to crystallize the contributions of the Girls in Risk Reduction Leadership (GIRRL) Program in building resilient communities through the integration of adolescent girls into local level decision-making and action for... more
This article aims to crystallize the contributions of the Girls in Risk Reduction Leadership (GIRRL) Program in building resilient communities through the integration of adolescent girls into local level decision-making and action for reducing disaster risk. Disadvantaged adolescent girls carry a double burden derived from vulnerability associated with gender and age within the context of disaster risk. Girls often face greater danger than boys or adults and are perceived as powerless. Their needs go unheard and capacities ignored because of their exclusion from decision-making and social participation. Efforts to reduce risk must be inclusive of the needs of vulnerable populations. Despite global calls for the inclusion of women, children, and youth in risk reduction policy and planning, its application has been insufficient. The GIRRL Program, utilizing Participatory Action Research, helped to catalyze the capacities of girls through personal empowerment to drive the agenda for in...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is recognized as a valuable component of environmental management, yet it has been neglected internationally and in South Africa. Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA), is identified as a complimentary... more
ABSTRACT Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is recognized as a valuable component of environmental management, yet it has been neglected internationally and in South Africa. Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA), is identified as a complimentary activity to SIA, that due to its shared focus on community wellbeing, has the potential for integration with and enhancement of SIA. The integration of SIA and DRA is a new, but poorly researched trend in South Africa, which is explored in this paper by investigating the current discourses in SIA and DRA practice using questionnaires and interviews with a sample of SIA and DRA experts. Four practical discourses were investigated i.e. specialists’ career experience; obstacles to practice; methodological guidance; and integrated assessments. This was followed by a literature study that demonstrated that these discourses echo broad international trends in SIA and DRA practice. The findings suggest that the integration of SIA and DRA should be pursued to optimize SIA for improved practice, to increase community resilience and to promote sustainable development outcomes.
Research Interests:
PurposeA new framework to support the national and local capacity building plan for disaster risk management (DRM) in Cameroon is presented. For the past 30 years, after the general re-organisation of the civil protection department,... more
PurposeA new framework to support the national and local capacity building plan for disaster risk management (DRM) in Cameroon is presented. For the past 30 years, after the general re-organisation of the civil protection department, capacity building programmes for DRM has been solely carried out for and by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and the Department of Civil Protection. The exclusion of businesses, civil society and community participation, among others, has been the main obstacle to capacity building programmes undertaken for DRM. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachBased on interviews conducted among 200 informants by means of a process of participatory monitoring and evaluation as well as a duo capacity building workshop for DRM held in August 2017 in Yaoundé, this paper evaluated existing capacity building programmes for DRM in Cameroon.FindingsFindings show that the greater portion of government representatives within the public...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Purpose Through the application of traditional and contemporary feminist theories in gender mainstreaming, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to emergent debate on gender dimensions in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption by... more
Purpose Through the application of traditional and contemporary feminist theories in gender mainstreaming, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to emergent debate on gender dimensions in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption by smallholder farmers in disaster-prone regions. This is important to ensure that CSA strategies are tailored to farmer-specific gender equality goals. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory-sequential mixed methods research design which is qualitatively biased was applied. Key informant interviews and farmer focus group discussions in two study sites formed initial qualitative phase whose findings were explored in a quantitative cross-sectional household survey. Findings Findings shared in this paper indicate the predominant application of traditional gender mainstreaming approaches in CSA focusing on parochial gender dichotomy. Qualitative findings highlight perceptions that western gender approaches are not fully applicable to local contexts and...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This article focuses on the social aspects of climate change and explores the interrelationship between belief systems and adaptation. The links and interaction between external and internal realities are examined from the perspective of... more
This article focuses on the social aspects of climate change and explores the interrelationship between belief systems and adaptation. The links and interaction between external and internal realities are examined from the perspective of contextual vulnerability, with a focus on the multifaceted structure of belief systems. The aim was to determine those challenges regarding climate change adaptation that are caused by a community's belief system and to make recommendations to overcome them. Diverse perceptions of climate change and beliefs from three townships in the North-West Province of South Africa were collected and analysed using Q-methodology, finding five distinct worldview narratives. These narratives were named naturalist collectivist, religious, religious determinist, activist collectivist and structural thinker. It is recommended that policymakers aim to address diverse views and should be informed by factors that increase resistance to belief revision. Information ...
Research Interests:
This article argues that religious beliefs significantly influence a community's understanding and experience of climate change adaptation, indicating the need for an inclusion of such information in climate change adaptation... more
This article argues that religious beliefs significantly influence a community's understanding and experience of climate change adaptation, indicating the need for an inclusion of such information in climate change adaptation education. Data were collected using the Q-method, whereby recurring statements were identified from semi-structured interviews with participants from three rural communities in the North-West province of South Africa: Ikageng, Ventersdorp and Jouberton. The research found that community members who regard themselves as religious (overall of the Christian faith) fall under two groups: the religious determinists or fatalists, who see climate as a natural process that is governed by God, and religious participants who deny this 'naturalness' and acknowledge humans' impact on the climate.
Research Interests:
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges humankind faces and adaptive behaviour is an imperative response to such change. Culture and the resulting worldview are determinants of behaviour and eminent cultural beliefs are that of... more
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges humankind faces and adaptive behaviour is an imperative response to such change. Culture and the resulting worldview are determinants of behaviour and eminent cultural beliefs are that of time orientation (TO) and social self-construal (SSC). To date, no research focuses on these beliefs from an indigenous South African perspective or the manner in which it may subsequently affect a community's adaptation towards climate change. Q-methodology was used to study perspectives and beliefs in three peri-urban communities in South Africa and to investigate the interrelation between themes such as TO, SSC, climate change awareness and climate change causality. It became apparent that the communities are aware of climate change, yet little to no efforts are currently being made to adapt to climatic change. This absence of motivation to adapt may be attributed to limited risk perception and cultural beliefs of TO and SSC. This study aims t...
Research Interests: Cultural Studies, Psychology, Social Psychology, African Studies, Perception, and 15 moreAfrican Philosophy, Climate Change, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Adaptation And Mitigation Strategies, Medicine, Construal Level Theory, Belief Systems, Disaster risk reduction, Beliefs and attitudes, Time Orientation, Beliefs & Values, Ubuntu Philosophy and Research, Aosis, Indigenous, and African Time
The sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region, along with the rest of the African continent, is prone to a wide variety of natural hazards. Most of these hazards and the associated disasters are relatively silent and insidious, encroaching on life... more
The sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region, along with the rest of the African continent, is prone to a wide variety of natural hazards. Most of these hazards and the associated disasters are relatively silent and insidious, encroaching on life and livelihoods, increasing social, economic, and environmental vulnerability even to moderate events. With the majority of SSA’s disasters being of hydrometeorological origin, climate change through an increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events is likely to exacerbate the situation. Whereas a number of countries in SSA face significant governance challenges to effectively respond to disasters and manage risk reduction measures, considerable progress has been made since the early 2000s in terms of policies, strategies, and/or institutional mechanisms to advance disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management. As such, most countries in SSA have developed/reviewed policies, strategies, and plans and put in place institutio...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Since 1994, fundamental transformation in South Africa in terms of disaster risk reduction taken place. The transformation process led to the promulgation of the Disaster Management Act (57/2002) (DMA) that introduced a new era of... more
Since 1994, fundamental transformation in South Africa in terms of disaster risk reduction taken place. The transformation process led to the promulgation of the Disaster Management Act (57/2002) (DMA) that introduced a new era of disaster risk management (DRM) in South Africa. The National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) that followed in 2005 put clear guidelines in place for implementing the DMA and emphasised the importance of the integration and coordination of DRM activities in all spheres of government. To adhere to the requirements of the DMA regarding personnel, certain DRM structures like interdepartmental committees, disaster management centres, disaster management frameworks and disaster management advisory forums must be in place. Since the promulgation of the DMA in 2003, South African municipalities have had ample time to get the structures in place. This article tries to evaluate the degree to which South African municipalities adhere to the requirements of the D...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence of resilience into the contemporary discourse of disaster risk. As a counter position to the current status quo in defining and addressing resilience, this paper introduces... more
Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence of resilience into the contemporary discourse of disaster risk. As a counter position to the current status quo in defining and addressing resilience, this paper introduces the theoretical lens of complex adaptive systems theory (CAS). Some of the key characterisitcs related to CAS are discussed and linkages are made to possible benefit that they might have in enhancing the understanding of disaster resilience.Design/methodology/approach– An indepth review of literature pertaining to disaster resilience and CAS was conducted to find common grounds for theoretical synergies.Findings– The inherent similarities between the concept of resilience and CAS provides ample practical and theoretical contributions to the field of disaster risk studies.Originality/value– The paper provides a different perspective to the contemporary discourse on disaster resilience. A better understanding of disaster resilience and its underlying dy...
Research Interests:
Disaster risk reduction is an ever-growing concept and finds its application within various disciplines. This article investigates the development of disaster risk reduction and some of the most important aspects which shaped it. The... more
Disaster risk reduction is an ever-growing concept and finds its application within various disciplines. This article investigates the development of disaster risk reduction and some of the most important aspects which shaped it. The early years of international disaster relief are discussed and it is shown how a change in this system was necessitated by a variety of factors and international disasters, which exposed its weakness. The article argues that disaster relief and development aid were inextricably linked and it is this linkage which provided a catalyst for questioning the manner in which relief, and development assistance, were provided. The later emphasis on disaster preparedness and management is discussed, and international policies and mechanisms, which contributed to a gradual shift in focus towards disaster risk reduction, enjoy attention. The article concludes that solutions to disaster risks lie within a rigorous trans- disciplinary focus.
Research Interests:
Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to understand the meaning of social constructivism and objectivism within the context of disaster risk from which disaster risk policy can be analysed. In particular, the paper attempts to explore the... more
Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to understand the meaning of social constructivism and objectivism within the context of disaster risk from which disaster risk policy can be analysed. In particular, the paper attempts to explore the implications of social constructivism and objectivism in disaster risk which is essential in explaining why disaster risk has different nuances and consequently policy responses.Design/methodology/approach– A literature survey was used to explore social constructivism and objectivism within the context of disaster risk. The survey involved documentary searches from academic books, journal articles and disaster risk reports to serve as primary research data.Findings– The analysis revealed that viewing and managing disasters through the lens of objectivism might not yield the desired results of minimising risk as it conceals the vulnerabilities to disaster risk. The objectivist perspective is therefore in itself considered inadequate for the study of...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT Southern Africa suffers from an acute lack in skilled capacities for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The region, with its unique disaster risk profile, is mostly bound by its inability to effect change and... more
ABSTRACT Southern Africa suffers from an acute lack in skilled capacities for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. The region, with its unique disaster risk profile, is mostly bound by its inability to effect change and transformation for sus- tainable development and resilience building. Reasons for these limitations are largely due to the lack of capacities in disaster risk reduction with the public, semiprivate, as well as private sectors. However, since the 1990s, some significant work in disaster risk governance in the region has led to some of the most forward- thinking policies and acts in the world. Therefore, the disaster risk reduction com- munities in the various Southern African states have not been idle. The major constraint now faced is the translation of these policies and plans into action, and this is where the need for more capacities becomes strikingly obvious. Research and academic institutions in the region have outlived all of the regimes and regime changes. These institutions are ideally suited to address the policy/practice gap that exists within the disaster risk reduction domain. In this chapter, we argue for a focus shift in developing sustainable capacities for disaster risk reduction in Southern Africa by first acknowledging and second harnessing the existing skills base in the region. We believe that contemporary capacity development for disaster risk reduc- tion is predominantly ad hoc, short term, project focused, and microsized, and should be changed from within the region, by building on existing institutions and networks that are driven by Southern African institutions.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This article examines the geopolitical dynamics associated with the African Union (AU) and United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) from the start of the Darfur conflict in 2003 until the time when UNAMID became fully... more
This article examines the geopolitical dynamics associated with the African Union (AU) and United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) from the start of the Darfur conflict in 2003 until the time when UNAMID became fully operational in 2011. It provides an overview of the complex forces and geopolitical dynamics that affected the deployment of UNAMID and shaped its unique hybrid character. It mainly highlights those primary geopolitical factors that hindered the full deployment of UNAMID. It is concluded that this period was a showcase for the newly established AU and its support for its member states, as well as a new approach for the international community to maintain international peace and security in alliance with regional organisations.
Research Interests:
Humans can change the forces of nature that they are subjected to. We have the ability to imagine alternative futures and to formulate solution to facilitate human development. However, we have had a tendency to focus on the past on which... more
Humans can change the forces of nature that they are subjected to. We have the ability to imagine alternative futures and to formulate solution to facilitate human development. However, we have had a tendency to focus on the past on which future adaptation is based. Cardinal elements in human survival are the anticipation of future risk and the adaptation of behavior that will reduce disaster risks. Anticipation is, however, not an innate ability, but rather a skill to be mastered. In this chapter, the foci will be placed on the concept of disaster risk reduction to investigate the relations between anticipation and disaster risk reduction, and its role in the disaster risk domain. Disaster risk within complex adaptive systems will be discussed, because cognition of anticipation is found within the processes thereof. Subsequently, the phenomenology of anticipation will be introduced as present in the social sphere. To explain the relation between anticipation and disaster risk reduction, anticipatory methods (double-loop learning, scenario planning, and action learning) for disaster risk reduction enjoys attention.