Enabling conditions for integrating government institutions for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the SADC region and beyond

Abstract

AbstractClimate change, through extreme weather events, is increasing the risk and impacts of disasters. An increase in extreme weather events underscores the importance of bringing coherence in efforts to reduce the risk of disasters and to adapt to the impacts of the changing climate. The linkages between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) and the need to integrate the two policy areas are well documented in the literature. However, the implementation of DRR and CCA measures continues in isolation. This article seeks to contribute to the ongoing efforts to bring coherence between DRR and CCA by identifying factors that would make it easy to integrate the two policy areas. An exploratory‐sequential mixed methods design was used to collect data from 41 participants from 10 of the 16 SADC Member States and two international cooperating partners. Participants identified political will and commitment, policy and legislative frameworks, provision of resources and capacities, addressing institutional barriers, and an improvement in communication and coordination as the main factors that could enhance the integration of government organizations for DRR and CCA. This paper submits that successful integration of institutions responsible for DRR and CCA, particularly government institutions, can be achieved when these factors are addressed.