Context
In 2023, South Africa continued to face the adverse consequences of climate change, which led to the exposure of vulnerable communities to hazards such as floods, cyclones, drought and wildfires. Recent occurrences highlighted the urgency of the situation. Between July 2023 and September 2023, the country experienced a surge in uncontrolled fires in peri-urban and urban settings, notably affecting informal settlements in Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng. Of significant concern was the devastating Kennedy Road informal settlement fire in Durban, which left thousands of individuals displaced and in dire need of assistance and support.
In addition to the incidences of fire, several South African provinces, including parts of Kwazulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Western Cape grappled with the consequences of severe rainfall. These heavy rains led to a decline in food security and negatively impacted livelihoods. The implications extend beyond immediate material losses, posing a substantial threat to South Africa’s social cohesion, water resources, food security, livelihoods, health and critical infrastructure. More significantly, the changing weather patterns linked to these challenges have amplified gender-specific vulnerabilities within affected communities.
Environmental challenges further compound the nation’s difficulties, with ongoing floods affecting regions such as Western Cape, Kwazulu Natal, and Northern Cape. These natural disasters continue to jeopardize human lives and exacerbate food insecurity. Parts of Eastern Cape have witnessed a surge in cases of malnutrition, particularly among rural communities and children. Tragically, malnutrition has emerged as a leading cause of death among young children.
ReliefWeb
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