2026-03-31
Sazi W. Gcabashe, Sareesha Pillay
Migration has shaped townships into hubs of urban informality that are characterised by the propagation of informal settlements. With their expansion, informal settlements have become increasingly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of hazards. This article explored factors that influence flood vulnerability in township informal settlements in the NMBM. Framed by the Integrated Vulnerability Approach by McEntire, the study collected secondary data sources from reputable online repositories and digital media platforms using keywords. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. The findings reveal that flood vulnerability in the case study is conceived by a combination of the nature and location of informal settlements. The population characteristics of informal settlement dwellers and the marginalisation of infrastructural public service drive them to occupy hazard prone vacant land in ‘stressed areas’. Despite the risk factor of their hazard-prone locations, informal settlement dwellers hold a ‘sense of place’ because of socioeconomic locational advantage and cultural resonance with their settlements that keeps them in their settlements. The study contends that flood vulnerability in informal settlements in townships occurs in combination of biophysical and social vulnerability. The study recognises that the population characteristics of the informal settlements are influenced by migration and its resultant socioeconomic conditions for low-skilled migrants. Contribution: The study demonstrates that the conception of informal settlements in townships and the legacies thereof are key origins of the infrastructural, public service delivery socioeconomic deficits in these settlements that drive the interactions of biophysical and social vulnerabilities.
2026-03-23
Daska Aziz, Suhendro Suhendro, Novia Zalmita, Cut Vita R. Jummi, M Hafizul Furqan
Nandong Smong represents a vital element of Aceh’s local cultural wisdom that has long contributed to community-based tsunami risk reduction. Following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, disaster mitigation initiatives have been integrated into school curricula, with innovative pedagogical approaches gaining prominence. This study explores the use of drama, specifically role-playing, to express and revitalise Nandong Smong as a medium for strengthening tsunami disaster resilience among high school students. An experimental design employing a pre-test–post-test group and a quantitative analytical approach was used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The results demonstrate that the role-playing model significantly improved students’ tsunami disaster resilience, with a contribution rate of 57.54%. The results highlight the potential for integrating local wisdom into creative learning strategies and suggest that similar approaches can be adopted in other disaster-prone coastal schools to enhance preparedness and resilience. Contribution: The contribution of this research lies in its innovative integration of Nandong Smong local wisdom with drama-based role-playing learning as a practical non-structural mitigation strategy for high school students. This study demonstrates how culturally rooted narratives can be transformed into interactive learning experiences that enhance disaster awareness, preparedness and adaptive capacity among vulnerable groups in schools. Bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary pedagogical methods, this study provides a transferable framework that can be adapted to other tsunami-prone coastal communities. The findings highlight the potential of transformative, culturally responsive educational approaches to strengthen community resilience and sustain intergenerational disaster knowledge.
2026-02-28
Sindiso Ndlovu, Gracsious Maviza
Climate-related displacements in Southern Africa have escalated because of an increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, particularly cyclones, floods and droughts. Mozambique and Zimbabwe are among the most affected countries, where repeated climate shocks have displaced communities and disrupted critical livelihood systems. However, evidence on how these displacement processes specifically influence food and water security remains insufficiently synthesised. This study examines this gap through a systematic review guided by the question: How do climate-related displacement events affect food and water security among populations in Mozambique and Zimbabwe? Following the PRISMA framework, 32 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024 were identified using PICO-derived search terms. Studies were included if they explicitly examined displacement and its implications for food and water security. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess methodological quality, and a Most Similar Systems Design (MSSD) approach enabled comparison of governance responses shaping outcomes for displaced populations. Findings indicate that climate-related displacement intensifies socio-economic vulnerabilities, reduces access to land and safe water, and heightens resource competition in receiving areas. These pressures undermine household food availability, dietary diversity and water reliability, while increasing exposure to protection risks. Weak institutional capacity and inconsistent policy frameworks further constrain sustainable recovery. This review advances knowledge by synthesising dispersed evidence and identifying critical gaps in governance, planning and service provision. Contribution: It emphasises the need for integrated, human-security-oriented interventions that strengthen resilience, safeguard essential resources and ensure displaced populations are effectively included in national adaptation and disaster-risk-reduction strategies.